RP87 A P COMMUN ITY FOREST MANAGEMENT PROJECT RESETTLEMENT ACTION PLAN (RAP) 1 Background: 1.1 Forests in the state of Andhra Pradesh extend to nearly 23% of its geographical area. These forests are rich in a variety of flora and fauna. They also are abode to a number of tribal groups. The tribals depend heavily on the richness of the forest resources for their livelihood. Unfortunately, development of forest resources and development of human resources have not always been very synergetic leading to large scale degradation of forest resources. The reasons range from unsustainable and unscientific exploitation to increase in demand primarily due to population growth and inadequacy of a corresponding growth in supply of goods and services from the forests. During 1990s,the Government of India (GOI) issued a circular enabling community participation in Forest Protection and Management. The Government of Andhra Pradesh (GOAP) adopted this in 1992. From then onwards there has been a major shift in Forest Management. The local village communities that depend on the forests for meeting their needs were made partners in Forest Management through the concept of Joint Forest Management (JFM). The experience of JFM in AP has proven to be a success. The forest cover has increased and there is a perceptible improvement in the forestry sector. However, the investments made and initiatives taken need further consolidation for sustaining the impact. With the experience gained from Joint Forest Management, in order to institutionalize the process, to ensure greater decentralization and devolution of managerial responsibilities and to ensure steady flow of benefits to the communities, during 2002, the Government of Andhra Pradesh launched Community Forest Management as an improvement over Joint Forest Management. While JFM was a partnership between the forest dependent communities 1
Transcript
RP87
A P COMMUN ITY FOREST MANAGEMENT PROJECTRESETTLEMENT ACTION PLAN (RAP)
1 Background: 1.1 Forests in the state of Andhra Pradesh extend to nearly 23% of its geographical area. These forests are rich in a variety of flora and fauna. They also are abode to a number of tribal groups. The tribals depend heavily on the richness of the forest resources for their livelihood. Unfortunately, development of forest resources and development of human resources have not always been very synergetic leading to large scale degradation of forest resources. The reasons range from unsustainable and unscientific exploitation to increase in demand primarily due to population growth and inadequacy of a corresponding growth in supply of goods and services from the forests.
During 1990s,the Government of India (GOI) issued a circular enabling community participation in Forest Protection and Management. The Government of Andhra Pradesh (GOAP) adopted this in 1992. From then onwards there has been a major shift in Forest Management. The local village communities that depend on the forests for meeting their needs were made partners in Forest Management through the concept of Joint Forest Management (JFM). The experience of JFM in AP has proven to be a success. The forest cover has increased and there is a perceptible improvement in the forestry sector. However, the investments made and initiatives taken need further consolidation for sustaining the impact. With the experience gained from Joint Forest Management, in order to institutionalize the process, to ensure greater decentralization and devolution of managerial responsibilities and to ensure steady flow of benefits to the communities, during 2002, the Government of Andhra Pradesh launched Community Forest Management as an improvement over Joint Forest Management. While JFM was a partnership between the forest dependent communities and the GOAP, CFM is a democratic process through delegation of the decision making process. It aims at decentralizing the entire process of planning and implementation with Andhra Pradesh Forest Department (APFD ) and GOAP acting as facilitators and providers of technical and infrastructure support. This Community Forest Management approach is a radical shift from traditional estate approach to forestry.
Joint Forest Management and Community Forest Management primarily focus on treating forests as a common property resource and managing it for common use. Community Forest Management in Andhra Pradesh is being practiced only in the state owned forest areas. Vana Samrakshana Samithies or Village Forest Protection Committees are formed in the forest dependent villages comprising of willing forest dependent families. Forests in the vicinity of such villages are then allotted to these VSSs for protection and management. The VSSs are entitled for complete ownership of usufruct and are required to set apart 50% of net proceeds from sale of timber and bamboos towards future forest management expenses.
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2. Need for a Resettlement Action Plan in Community Forest Management:
2.1 Land tenure in Tribal areas: Tribals, especially in the north coastal (Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam and East Godavari) and north Telangana (Adilabad, Khammam, Karimnagar and Warangal) districts traditionally practiced shifting cultivation. The cycle of cropping , other details of agriculture and different social practices were regulated through a well-defined and structured system of local governance, which is similar to the panchayat system at village level. The practice of shifting cultivation, though not environment friendly, did not cause great loss as long as the population was less and the cycle of shifting had wide gaps. The cycle however gradually started reducing with the growth in local population. The state’s policy on reservation of forested areas for forestry purposes affected the tribals’ dependency on forest for their livelihood as their access to forest for cultivating crop decreased considerably. To provide land to tribals and to settle the land tenure, the Government took a number of measures such as abolition of private estates, conversion of muttadari and mahalguzari rights into Ryotwari rights. Dis-reservation of forest lands was also done in some cases to assign land to tribal agriculturists. But the policy of dis-reservation of forests and converting the land-use from forestry to agriculture resulted in encroachments. The initiatives in the 60s and mid 70s which accorded tribal status to the community of lambadas led to their migration to Adialbad district from Maharashtra, where they did not enjoy such a status . Similar migration took place from Orissa into the neighboring Visakhapatnam district around the same time where tribals displaced by Hydel projects migrated to Andhra Pradesh in search of land and employment.
Since mid 80s, the law and order situation especially in the tribal areas of Andhra Pradesh has deteriorated with increase in activities of extremists (locally called Naxalites) and anti-social elements . Many times the the Forest Officers were reduced to being mute spectators to large scale plundering of forests that took place. In1987 the situation was so bad that in an ambush, many senior police officials were killed in Alampalli in Adilabad district. This attracted the attention of the Government. Various incidents clearly pointed out that land in general and forestland in particular was the major issue for tribal unrest, which was exploited by the extremist elements and that this was also the reason attributed for the ambush. A decision was taken in November 1987 to identify all the encroachments that existed prior to 1980 for considering their de-reservation. (the cut off date being the date on which the Government of India had passed the Indian Forest Conservation Act according to which no forest land was to be diverted for non forestry activity without the prior approval of the Government of India). This further encouraged more encroachments. It is estimated that nearly 100,000 ha of forestland was encroached consequent to this decision of the Government to consider de-reservation of pre 1980 cultivations. After nearly seven years from the cut off date, the virtually impossibility of making any distinction between pre 1980 and post 1980 encroachments, and the worsening law and order situation added to the misery of foresters. Realizing the potential ill effects of such large-scale encroachments, the Government subsequently in 1995 withdrew its decision of 1987 to consider regularizing pre 1980 cultivations. In this entire bargain nearly 25% of forestland was encroached in Adilabad district itself.
Efforts made by the Government to evict the encroachments by treating the encroachers as lawbreakers and dealing with them by invoking punitive measures under the AP Forest Act 1967 did not yield any positive results. On the contrary, such measures resulted in a situation of
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conflicts and tensions among the foresters and villagers. The community of foresters lost public sympathy and were persona non-grata in Tribal areas. However with the advent of Joint Forest Management since mid 90s, there is a greater harmony between foresters and tribals. There is also reduction in fresh encroachments as the livelihood issues of the forest dependent communities are addressed. Sincere efforts were made to educate the tribals of ill effects of destroying forests and on unscientific and unsustainable cultivation of food crops. Concept of declining crop productivity; decreasing soil fertility; enhancement of soil erosion etc were also explained. By providing viable alternatives during the implementation of Joint Forest Management nearly 37000 ha of forestland under possession and cultivation of local people have been reclaimed through afforestation and put under productive tree crops through VSS . However the above data is only an estimation, village and family specific data will have to be gathered during the course of site specific planning through the process of microplanning. Thus persuasion and motivation coupled with education have yielded positive results that could not be achieved through coercion.
2.2 All the VSSs have been allotted forest areas for protection and development. No new land acquisition is envisaged during the implementation of A P Community Forest Management Project. Further, no physical displacement is expected during the period of A P Community Forest Management Project. However, the main issue in CFM will remain utilization of land in the forest areas for agriculture purpose. There is a likelihood of some adverse effects or impacts on some families and individuals as they may lose their individual occupancy of land in the forests to the collective management of VSS and which could result in the loss of their livelihood source. It is likely that the families cultivating such forestlands individually might voluntarily surrender them to the VSS for Community Forest Management. In order to mitigate the adverse effects in such cases, there is a need to prepare a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP). Accordingly this Resettlement Action Plan has been prepared covering all the VSSs in Andhra Pradesh that are implementing A P Community Forest Management Project. It also addresses the issue of loss of livelihood that might have occurred during implementation of Joint Forest Management activity. The main objective of this RAP is to describe the process of resettlement of people dependent on forest land that will be undertaken adopting the R& R Policy (Attachment 1) without limiting it to any single project. This RAP covers the entire state with tentative estimates having been derived from the Social and Environmental Assessment (SEA) taken up during the course of preparation of A P Community Forest Management Project for seeking financial support from the World Bank. Final assessment and figures will, however, change as the VSS communities prepare RAPs for individual VSS areas during the process of microplanning.
2.3 Revision to RAP: This Resettlement Action Plan is a revised version of the Resettlement Action Plan that was prepared during 2002 for the A P Community Forest Management Project as per the R&R Policy of the GOAP issued in G.O.Ms No. 10 EFS&T (For III) Dept. Dt. 5.2.2002. Revision of this plan was necessitated to address objections raised by some NGOs. During Project negotiation it was agreed that thgis RAP would be revised in consultation with the stakeholders. The present RAP has been done after detailed consultations with all the stakeholders including potential affected people and local NGOs. This revision makes the approach applicable to JFM phase and clarifies certain expressions that were made in the earlier version on voluntary nature of surrender of encroached forestland This revision is also in
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accordance with the agreement reached with the World Bank during project negotiation in May 2002. It facilitates extending rehabilitation package to the affected families either on individual basis or on group basis depending on choice of the affected families and viability of the economic activity planned for rehabilitation. 2.4 The present Resettlement Action Plan has been prepared to enable smooth implementation of the R&R Policy issued by the Government of Andhra Pradesh in respect of the Vana Samrakshana Samithies supported under the A P Community Forest Management Project. It also covers the Vana Samrakshana Samithies that were supported under the earlier World Bank aided A P Forestry Project where similar reclamation of land was done. 3. Process of social assessment
3.1 In order to assess the likely impacts due to the interventions, a Social Impact Assessment was carried out as part of the over all Social and Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the A P Community Forest Management Project. The SEA was carried out in a sample of 20 VSS areas representing different agro-climatic zones and socio-economic features of the state. Besides using different tools of observation, the study also carried out a census of potentially affected families and studied their dependence on land required for the project interventions.
3.2 Assessment of impacts: As an integral part of the SEA, a 20 sample VSS areas were visited to assess the types of likely impacts due to the proposed interventions, extent of impact on the livelihood of those dependent on land and the size of the population that may be affected. Discussions were also held on how to deal with encroachments, and what type of support would be required to help those affected to restore their livelihood. An attempt was made to identify all encroachments in the VSS areas. This involved detailed discussions with village elders and knowledgeable persons about the history of encroachment, families dependency on forest lands and the extent of their dependence. Discussions were also held with village level government officials particularly from forest and revenue departments. Detailed consultations were also held with local Panchayat representatives. Participatory mapping was undertaken to identify the VSS area, families cultivating such lands and the families likely to be affected. Discussions also focused on the entitlement framework required to mitigate adverse impacts of the CFM.
3.3 The information thus collected provided the basis for developing a broad entitlement framework, which was further discussed during the stakeholders consultation workshops held at regional and state levels. Besides the general social assessment, a census of families dependent on VSS forest areas was undertaken in each of the 20 VSSs covered under the SEA. Apart from individual interviews with the members of affected families, detailed discussions were held focusing on entitlement framework and plans to mitigate potential adverse impacts. Individual interviews were also held with members of families that were likely to be affected to assess the extent of impact of the project on their socio-economic status. Attempts were also made to assess the vulnerability of these encroachers particularly on their dependence on such encroached lands for their livelihood. Information collected from these 20 VSS areas is used as the base for preparing the Resettlement Action Plan.
3.4 Consultation for RAP revision: As part of revision of this RAP, during the months of April to August 2003, further detailed consultations were held with stakeholders including the families
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affected or likely to be affected due to implementation of CFM. Details of the issues that emerged are attached (Annex I) and revisions effected in R&R policy can be seen in Annex II.
3.5 Consultation with the local VSS community including potentially afftected people will form an important part of project implementation, VSS facilitated by NGOs/Community Organizer (CO) will also carry out the process of Social Impact Assessment (SIA) as part of site specific planning. This process of social impact assessment will be a part of preparing Micro level plans at the VSS level.
4. Benefits from Community Forest Management
4.1 Community Forest Management aims at reduction in rural poverty through improved forest management with community participation and increased access to forest resources. It : (i) directly targets the poor to reduce vulnerability and improve livelihoods with significant asset transfers; (ii) expands the involvement of poor in economic activities by improving access as well as profits from the sale of wood and non-timber forest products (NTFP); and (iii) enhances economic opportunities for women and other vulnerable groups with targeted training and income earning opportunities. The most immediate benefits would flow to tribals, landless poor and other forest dependent communities in the VSS areas. It will also help the communities in improving their village infrastructure and livelihood opportunities through forest as well as non-forest based income generation activities. Periodic thinning and harvest of timber, poles and other small wood will provide the community funds for financing local development works and needs as provided through G O Ms. No. 13 EFS&T (For III) Department Dt. 12.2.2002. 5. Impacts
The interventions of Community Forest Management broadly include restoring degraded forest resources and to make them more productive. Under CFM, VSS communities will be empowered to plan and implement all activities. SEA carried out in 20 VSS areas revealed that CFM did not involve any physical displacement of the population nor did it involve any new acquisition of land and structures for project interventions. However, the major issue is encroachments of forest lands allotted to VSS communities. Not all the VSS areas in the state have this problem of encroachment in forest areas, but the issue is of significance in the northern coastal areas (Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam and Vizianagaram) and northern part of Telangana (Adilabad and Khammam) and some parts of Rayalaseema region in the state (see Annex I for the distribution of VSS covered under the SEA). Of the 20 VSS areas covered under the SEA, in 8 VSS areas encroachment of forest areas assigned to VSS was seen. In these 8 VSS areas, encroachment was reported mainly for agricultural purposes.
6. Identifying affected area and minimizing adverse impacts
6.1 During the process of social assessment, the SEA team was accompanied by the staff of Forest and Revenue Departments. Involving village elders, forest maps were consulted to
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identify the forest area allotted to VSS. Once the VSS area was marked on the forest map, area under encroachment was identified. This helped to identify the project-affected families. Ground level identification of the affected area was carried out involving the local community to identify the extent of individual encroachments and families encroaching them. The results of the SEA and subsequent census survey of affected families in 20 VSS areas provided the base to extrapolate the number of families affected and develop this RAP.
6.2 This RAP does not contemplate use of force in its implementation . All adversely affected families (see section 9.3.4 on entitlement framework) will get support to mitigate their losses.
6.3 The data on encroachments of forestlands in 20 VSS areas covered under SEA is presented in Table 1. As may be seen from the data, only 8 VSS areas have reported encroachments. In these 8 VSS areas, there are 172 encroachments and the number varies between 9 in Moolaboddavaram to 39 in Nizampet. VSS areas with large number of encroachers are in northern coastal districts. The total forestland reported to have been encroached in the eight VSS areas is 213.68 ha which gives an average encroachment of 1.24 ha per family . In Gandhinagaram VSS (in Visakhapatnam district), the average area encroached by a family is as high as 1.95 ha (4.9 acres) while the lowest average of 0.26 ha (0.6 acre) is found in Kanchenapalli VSS (in Medak district). The issue of encroachments in VSS areas and their rehabilitation is of serious nature, threatening the livelihood of some of the families dependent on such encroached lands. It is worthwhile to point out here that the encroachment referred to in this document refer to forestlands allotted to VSS and include areas under podu cultivation practiced within VSS boundaries. In terms of eligibility for R&R support, all those families who have been in occupation of forest land allotted to VSS at the time of its constitution will be entitled to receive R&R assistance.
Table 1: Encroachers and extent of encroachment
Source: Social and Environmental Assessment, 2001.6.4 All families encroaching forest lands in VSS areas are not impacted uniformly. The R&R policy provides for varying levels of support depending upon the type and extent of loss. Of the 172 encroachments found in 8 VSS areas covered under SEA, 60 encroachers do not have any land under cultivation other than that encroached in VSS areas. In other words, these affected families are landless and are by and large dependent on encroached lands for their livelihood.
Source: Social and Environmental Assessment, 2001.6.5 Estimates have been developed based on the findings of SEA in each of the agro-forestry zones of the state. These estimates are presented in Table 3. These estimates indicate that about 28% of the families are likely to be affected, as they are largely dependent on encroached lands for meeting their household food requirements. These estimates will get updated during project implementation when social assessment would be undertaken at the individual VSS level as part of preparing microplans to identify affected families and prepare VSS level RAPs. 6.6 During the detailed consultation with the stakeholders undertaken as part of revising RAP between April and August 2003, it was observed that among the affected families who participated in the consultation meetings, 37.57 % depended exclusively on forest land that they had encroached, 22.18 % had land outside VSS areas in addition forest lands encroached by them that are included in the VSS areas, 0.59 % were likely to lose houses and 39.66 % were head loaders.
6.7 Learning from the experiences and responses at the stakeholders’ meetings, it has been recognized that (i) majority of the families who encroached forest land in Telangana and Rayalaseema regions will resist surrendering land to VSS and may not even allow agro-forestry in such areas and (ii) significant proportion of encroachers in North coastal Andhra may also not surrender their encroached land to VSS but may agree for agro-forestry with agreement on equitable (they may even demand higher) share of produce. Therefore, only those individuals who are willing to surrender their encroached forest land voluntarily to VSS will be eligible to get support through R&R Policy (Attachment 1).
7. Profile of the affected community:
7.1 A profile of the encroachers, in terms of their social structure, family size, working members, landholding outside VSS, encroached forest lands in the VSS area, operational holding, household income and income from encroached land is presented in Annex I. Expectedly, STs account for more than four-fifths of the total encroachers so far identified. The total population of the 172 families encroaching VSS land is 838, indicating an average family size of 4.9
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members per family. An average of 2.6 members per family are engaged in some economic activity or the others and hence are workers and contribute to the household income. Illiteracy is still a predominant factor for the backwardness of the encroaching families. 13 families among the encroachers have landholding of more than 2 ha. Small and marginal farmers account for 61.60 % of the encroachers in VSS areas. Landless among the encroachers account for nearly 30.80 % of the families encroaching forest land. There are hardly any irrigation sources in VSS villages and therefore, cultivation is predominantly rain fed. On an average, the household income among the encroachers is around Rs. 8913/-. Taking official poverty level of Rs. 12000/- per annum, most of the encroachers are below poverty level implying their dependence on encroached lands to supplement their household economy. 8. Willing participation of People and voluntary surrender of encroached forestland for CFM:
8.1 Support through RAP will be provided only to those who willingly participate in CFM and voluntarily surrender land under their individual possession to VSS for Community Forest Management. The facilitating NGO or Community Organizer (CO) will ensure that lands are surrendered voluntarily and not under compulsions or coercion or pressure on the affected families.
8.2 Wherever such voluntary surrender of encroached land takes place, all steps will be undertaken to document them. This will involve signing of a ‘consent letter’ by the affected person willing to voluntarily surrender the land to VSS and it will be witnessed by the Managing Committee of VSS, Sarpanch or nominee of Sarpanch of the Gram Panchayat, the members of the VSS Advisory Council (VAC). The VSS community will, however, ensure that such persons are not adversely affected and they benefit from the CFM. Veracity of such ‘consent letter’ will be verified by the Divisional level Forestry committee. For this purpose the Divisional level Forestry Committee shall constitute a subcommittee for every Range comprising of the concerned Forest Range Officer, one facilitating NGO/CO and a nominee of ITDA (in tribal area) or DRDA (in other area). This sub committee will also verify the veracity of any claim of loss of livelihood that would have happened during implementation of JFM. Any grievances by the people will be resolved at the VSS level by the VSS Management Committee (MC) and VAC. Unresolved issues will be addressed at different levels – Forest Section, Forest Range, Forest Division District and state (see section 16 for further details). All affected families including those who surrender encroached lands will get support as per the provisions of the R&R policy prepared for the purpose to enable them to restore their livelihood. The legal and policy provisions that are available to ensure that those affected are not left worse off are discussed in the subsequent sections.
9. Legal and policy provisions
9.1 The existing Land Acquisition Act (LAA) 1894, amended in 1984 and the R&R policy (formulated for this project) provide adequate legal and policy framework to mitigate any adverse impacts of the project interventions on the local population. The major features of this legal and policy framework are given below:
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9.2 Land Acquisition Act:
9.2.1 Land, structures and other immovable assets are not expected for any of the activities under the project, however if any such eventuality arises, the same will be dealt under the LA Act 1894. 9.2.2 An important provision under the Act allows a landholder to ask for the acquisition of his/her remaining holding (after the LA process) if the acquisition of land renders the holding uneconomical or fragmented or make it unviable for operation.
9.2.3 Compensation for buildings/structures: If acquisition of certain residential buildings becomes imperative, the same will be compensated at Basic Schedule of Rates (BSR) without deducting any depreciation. The BSR in the State are decided by the Public works Department (PWD) and are indexed to allow for prevailing market prices. Displaced persons shall be allowed to take away the building material which they can salvage from the houses at the old sites to make use of the same in the construction of the house in the new locations, yet there will be no reduction in their entitlement to compensation amount. Transit passes will be issued by a competent official for carrying away wooden frames and all such articles that may warrant issuance of permits. Compensation for buildings/structures on Government land, even those who have encroached on government land and have constructed buildings or structures thereon shall also be paid based on the valuation estimates of the buildings/structures by the \Public Works Department.
9.2.4 Compensation for common properties: If land or properties belonging to the community or common places of worship located are acquired, compensation for such acquisition will be paid to facilitate construction of such structures at new places. If the community was availing of some facility prior to the Project, GOAP will ensure the same at the new place/ habitat or at the old site, as the case may be.
9.2.5 Compensation for trees: Compensation for trees and other plantations will be determined on the basis of capitalized value of fruits, wood or timber. The capitalized value of trees, timber and fruits are determined by Horticulture Department / Forest Department in their concerned areas. Such evaluation is based on the type, age, diameter and yield of the tree. The Forest Department, every year taking into consideration these factors, prescribes the rates. However trees compensated will not be felled.
9.3 R&R Policy
9.3.1 As part of SEA, extensive consultations were held on the resettlement issues under the project and how to address them. This included discussions held with individual affected families through interviews, and discussions with village elders and community leaders. Stakeholders workshops were also organized on developing an entitlement framework (see section 10 for details on consultation process and issues discussed). Again as part of RAP revision detailed consultations were held between April and August 2003 with stake holders on the issue. Details of these are given in Annex II. Based on the results of SEA and the consultations carried out, an R&R policy has been formulated by the GOAP to address resettlement issues. .
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9.3.2 The main objective of the R&R policy (see Attachment I for R&R Policy) is to avoid or minimise any adverse impact and hardship to the people dependent on forestlands within a VSS area as a result of project interventions. However, if such adverse impacts cannot be avoided, the policy aims at supporting them by providing alternate opportunities to enhance or at least restore their livelihood. There will be no forcible eviction of people from encroached lands nor any affected person will be left worse off. This policy also covers those VSSs where similar loss of livelihood had occurred during implementation of Joint Forest Management before launch of Community Forest Management.
9.3.3 The affected families will be offered a package of assistance to ensure that they are helped to restore their livelihood. Care will be taken to ensure that women members of these families and / a single women among the affected category are involved in the discussions / decisions concerning the RAP strategies and their concerns are addressed. Specific entitlements that are available to the identified affected families from the R&R Policy are as follows:
Skill training and required financial arrangements for income generating (IG) activities
Productive Asset Grant (up to Rs.25, 000) for IG activities Access to institutional credit for using financial assistance for IG activities Support from District Industries –Center (DIC), Khadi and Village Industries
Corporation (KVIC) Compensation for loss of assets equivalent to cost of asset assessed Land for land, equivalent in extent of land voluntarily surrendered wherever
government revenue or ceiling surplus land is available and acceptable. Access to government programs for socio-economic development
Besides the above provisions, all affected families will be provided counseling and support in identifying suitable alternate livelihood as well as in ensuring forward and backward linkages. Families taking up non-farm activities will also be guided in procuring the required raw material and marketing of the finished products either on individual family basis or on a group basis.
9.3.4 R and R Entitlement Matrix: Following is the entitlement framework for the families affected by the proposed project interventions.
Category of affected families Mitigation measures (options for rehabilitation)Families with landholding outside VSS area losing encroached land (for BPL families)
Assistance to improve farming in landholding outside project area through improved farm inputs, and other agriculture support orAffected families will be provided support, if opted, to take up income generation activities.
Families entirely dependent on encroached land
Land for land (equivalent in extent of land surrendered voluntarily), where ever government revenue or ceiling surplus land is available and acceptable. Such families will be assisted to improve farming by providing farm inputs, and other agriculture support and access to agricultural credit or Affected families will be provided support, if opted, to take
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up income generation activitiesFamilies losing housing
Provide alternate site or cash in lieu of itHousing under weaker section housing scheme or a housing construction grant.Transport for carrying household salvaged material.
Head loaders Affected families will be provided support, to take up income generation activities
Note: The above mentioned mitigation measures will be provided on individual family basis. These families ( women and men of these families together) may however, on their own accord and depending upon the scheme chosen by them and its viability, decide to organize themselves into groups. In such cases entitlement will be made available to all the individual families of the group. Financial limits of entitlement in such cases will be sum of all entitlements of all the individual families of the group.
9.3.5 In addition to the impacts that have been identified so far and listed in the entitlement framework of the policy, if any potential negative impacts are observed and identified, the project will address them under the broad principles of the agreed upon within the policy framework.
10. Consultation with the affected community
10.1 Involvement of affected community is vital in planning and implementing R&R programs to get their options for alternate livelihood and to ensure their acceptance of R&R actions planned. While preparing the present RAP and its revision, extensive consultations were held with the affected families and other stakeholders including village elders, village level government officials, NGOs and civil society. While the consultation methods followed to elicit required information are detailed below, the details of consultation including the dates, participants, issues raised and how these have been addressed in the R&R policy and RAP have been presented in Annex II. Table 4: Consultations held during RAP preparation
Stakeholders MethodProject affected people
Individual interviews, field level observations transect walks
Local VSS and neighboring communities
Focused discussions, Village meetings, regional and state level stakeholders workshops
Elected representatives to local governments
Individual interviews, consultations on forest maps, regional and state level stakeholders workshops
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Local forest officials
Joint meetings and individual consultations on forest maps, regional stakeholders workshops
Project officials and line departments
Joint meetings, individual interviews and consultations, regional and state level stakeholders workshops
NGOs/members of civil society
Consultations and individual meetings, regional and state level stakeholders workshops
10.2 Some of the specific issues that were raised at the time of RAP preparation and addressed in the RAP are:
No cash compensation to encroachers for lands encroached by them All those who voluntarily surrender encroached forest lands should be
supported to enable them restore their livelihood All efforts should be made to dovetail government schemes for the
economic rehabilitation of the affected people 10.3 Affected Families’ involvement in the implementation: During implementation of this
action plan, the field level functionaries (MC of VSS, NGO/CO, VAC and village functionaries of the Forest Department) responsible for implementing the project at the VSS level with the involvement of affected families.
10.4 VSS level functionaries including MC of VSS, facilitating NGO/CO, VAC and field level functionaries of FD will ensure full participation of the affected families in each R&R activities as detailed out in the VSS level RAP.
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11. Action Plan:
The various activities that are required to be undertaken in the order of chronology for implementing the R&R Policy are:
1. Demarcation of the VSS boundary through participative process as specified in G O Ms. No. 13 EFS&T (For III) Department Dt. 12.2.2002 and identifying encroached area included within the VSS boundaries;
2. Undertaking social impact assessment at the VSS level and identifying affected families. This is to be carried out through participatory process to be endorsed by the VSS General Body and the VSS Advisory Council;
3. Affected families willing to voluntarily give up their encroached forestland giving a written consent letter to the VSS and verification of the consent letters by the affected families by the Divisional level forestry committee;
4. Affected families voluntarily surrendering encroached forest lands or giving up present livelihood pattern;
5. Documenting such voluntary surrender of forest land or giving up of present livelihood pattern;
6. Identifying R&R Package as per entitlement framework detailed in the R&R Policy (Attachment 1);
7. Accessing R&R Grant, government schemes and institutional credit;8. Extending support in the operation of income generation scheme.
11.1: Demarcation of VSS boundary, identification of encroached land within VSS area: Planning, implementation and monitoring
of all the components of this plan will be done through participatory process including mapping, transact etc. The VSS and its MC, facilitated by the VSS Advisory council with active participation of facilitating NGO/CO will undertake the social impact assessment. The process will involve mapping of forest area allotted to the VSS, identification of the area encroached (in this context, area affected refers to those lands with in VSS boundaries that are encroached for non forestry use) and the families dependent on such lands. A list of such affected families will be prepared. For each of these families, an assessment of their dependence on encroached land, in terms of the extent of area encroached, area owned and cultivated, income levels and the returns from the encroached land, will also be made. Individual R&R entitlements will be determined as per the criteria laid out in the R&R policy (Attachment 1).
11.2 Affected Families voluntarily surrendering land: Action will be initiated only if the affected families voluntarily surrender land in their individual possession that is included in the VSS area. For this purpose they (women and men members of the family concerned) will be required to give a written undertaking or ‘consent letter’ to the concerned VSS chairperson who will forward it to the DFO through the social development specialist nominated for each division (of the rank of Sub DFO / FRO). Such signing of a ‘consent letter’ by the affected family will be witnessed by the Managing Committee of VSS, Sarpanch or nominee of Sarpanch of the Gram Panchayat, the members of the VSS Advisory Council (VAC). The VSS community will, however, ensure that such persons are not adversely affected and that they benefit from the CFM. Veracity of such ‘consent letter’ will be verified by the Divisional level
13
Forestry committee. For this purpose the Divisional level Forestry Committee shall constitute a subcommittee for every Range comprising of the concerned Forest Range Officer, one facilitating NGO/CO and a nominee of ITDA (in tribal area) or DRDA (in other area). This sub committee will also verify the veracity of any claim of loss of livelihood that would have happened during implementation of JFM.
11.3 Issuing notices not to take up sowing: After the identification of the affected area and the affected people, and after approval of R&R entitlements as detailed in para 11.4, VSS will issue notices to individual affected family to refrain them from further sowing in the VSS area. These notices will specify that they would be responsible for any loss of crop during project implementation. This is to ensure that the families who receive and utilize the R&R package do not resort to the earlier livelihood pattern of encroaching forest land that they had voluntarily surrendered.
11.4 Extending R&R entitlements: No R&R entitlement will be paid in cash. For procurement of productive asset, the choice of the affected family will be obtained and the asset will be procured and supplied by the FD. Payment for the asset procured will be made by the DFO directly to the supplier of asset. Funds needed for training required will be made available to the identified training centre or the respective resource person/s. This payment will also be made directly by the DFO. Funds required for working capital will be deposited in bank account to be operated jointly by the head of the family of the affected person and Chairperson of the respective VSS. In case of group based economic activity, each group should elect a leader and the joint account will be in the name of group leader and the chairperson of the respective VSS. The MC of VSS and facilitating NGO /CO will have a major responsibility in providing the necessary guidance and help in identifying suitable alternative livelihood and income generation activities. Basing on the choice of the affected family/families the MC of the VSS duly consulting the VSS Advisory council will identify the viable income generation activity, formulate proposals and send to the DFO through the FRO and Sub DFO for approval. The DFO will scrutinize the proposal and accord approval. He will also take necessary action to link up required additional financial support from commercial banks, khadi and village industries commission, other Governmental schemes etc.
11.5 Economic rehabilitation:
11.5.1 Employment during CFM implementation: All affected families will be given wage employment on preferential basis during the process of CFM interventions at the VSS level including watch and ward of the forest areas, plantation activities, thinning operations etc. For this purpose, facilitating NGO/CO will prepare a labour pool profile, comparing skills and types of job executed and along with MC members of VSS ensure that the affected persons get employment opportunities.
11.5.2 Identification of alternate economic activities including group based income generation activities: Facilitating NGO/CO will analyze the type of economic activities being carried out in the area, specify existing demand for products and services, the general availability of labour and other resources, profitability, present marketing practices and relationships. It is also necessary that an inventory of existing banks, savings and credit organizations and any informal
14
institutional arrangements for encouraging savings and for providing start-up or expansion capital is also made. Information so gathered will provide the base for preliminary identification of potential income-restoration measures.
11.5.3 Assessing feasibility of IG activities: Based on the above information, NGO/CO will assess the feasibility of these activities in a given area and prepare a shelf of suitable income generation activities. NGO/CO will facilitate the affected families to select the activity preferred by them.
11.5.4 Assessing training needs: NGO/CO will assess the training needs of the affected families for the alternate economic activities selected by them, identify resource persons or training institutions and organize training programs to equip them with the required skills. No economic activity will be undertaken unless the affected persons have the required skills.
11.5.5 Accessing government schemes: NGO/CO with the help of members of MC of VSS and GP will help the affected families to access government schemes. In this process, the FD functionaries, particularly the Forest Range Officer (FRO) and Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) will have major responsibilities to ensure that the affected families are covered under the on-going government programs. This requires that these functionaries work closely with District Collectors and Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs) for inclusion of the affected people under government schemes. Similar efforts will be required to help affected families access institutional credit. Forest Committees at the divisional and district level will help coordinate these efforts and ensure that the affected families are supported under the government schemes. NGO/CO along with field level functionaries of FD will ensure forward and backward linkages for the activities undertaken by the affected people. RAPs prepared at the VSS level will include arrangements (and indicators) for monitoring the effectiveness of income restoration measures, and will have provisions to modify plans found to be ineffective.
12. RAP approval process
12.1 RAP will form an integral part of the Micro plan prepared at the VSS level. Its implementation will be synchronized with the physical activities planned under the Micro plan. No physical activity including plantation will take place unless all entitlements are extended and the process of economic rehabilitation has started. Voluntary surrender of land will be well documented and will be checked on a sample basis by an external agency that will be engaged to undertake monitoring of R&R component of the APCFM Project. The responsibility of approving RAP as part of Micro plan will be with the DFO. The FRO at the district level responsible for R&R activities under the project will ensure that RAPs conform to the R&R policy provisions. .
12.2 At the state level, the Social Development Specialist in the PMU will be responsible to ensure that RAPs prepared at the VSS level are in accordance with the agreed R&R policy of the project.
13. Institutional Arrangements
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13.1 The institutional arrangements for the preparation and implementation of RAP involves the availability of the required staff at different levels as described below. Since this is a community driven development project, this requires intensive working with the local forest communities. For this purpose, NGOs will be engaged to facilitate the process. In areas where suitable NGOs are not available, Community Organizers will be engaged to help functionaries of FD to work with the forest communities.
13.2 At the State level, the responsibility of monitoring the planning and implementation of the resettlement programs will be with the Social Unit with in the Project Management Unit. The head of this Unit will be a Social Development Specialist of the rank of Deputy Conservator of Forests / Assistant Conservator of Forests. This unit will coordinate with the DFOs and the line departments to ensure smooth implementation of the resettlement activities under the project.
13.3 At the forest divisional level, the concerned DFO will coordinate the resettlement activities. For concerted efforts, the Sub DFO or a Forest Range Officer (FRO) will be designated to coordinate and supervise planning and implementing R &R activities in a division. He will also provide guidance to the VSS level VAC and NGO/CO.
13.4 At the VSS level, planning and implementing R&R activities will be the responsibility of the concerned VSS. To facilitate this process, there will be a VAC comprising of the concerned FSO, FBO or Assistant BO, the Panchayat Sarpanch, representative of the ITDA, the Village Secretary, the NGO/CO actively involved in assisting the V.S.S., and Village School Headmaster/Headmistress. The Panchayat Sarpanch will chair the VAC meetings. If for any reason he / she is unable to attend the meeting the FSO will preside over the VAC meeting. This council will also help in assessing the availability of government land for families opting for land and also in accessing government schemes in the area.. 13.5 Although no new land acquisition is envisaged, if any eventuality arises, acquisition of land and other immovable properties is the responsibility of the Revenue Department of GOAP. At the district level, this is carried out by the District Collector through a designated Land Acquisition Officer.
13.6 The organizational set up for planning, implementing and monitoring R&R activities under the project is presented in the flow chart (Annex III).
14. Role of NGOs/Community organizersWherever suitable NGOs are available, they will be involved in planning, implementing and monitoring of the Resettlement Action Plan. If suitable NGOs are not available, in such areas Community Organizers will be engaged to assist VSS in planning and implementing Micro plans including resettlement activities.
15. Capacity building to handle R&R activities 15.1 Since most of the staff in FD at all levels (state, district, divisions, range and VSS) and functionaries of NGO and CO will have little exposure to R&R issues, they will be trained in skills required to handle resettlement activities. Besides, FD staff at different levels, NGO functionaries and COs, VSS management committee members and other field level functionaries
16
of departments of tribal development and rural development associated with the project will also be trained on different aspects of R&R issues related to CFM. The training modules to be developed will focus on:
policies and procedures in LA and R&R undertaking social impact assessment conducting census surveys of affected families preparing RAP economic rehabilitation of the affected people data base management for M&E of R&R programs
15.2 A consultant will be engaged to assess the training needs and prepare training modules and material. Training will be organized both at the state and district levels. Each training module will be repeated to cover a large number of those associated with R&R activities under the project. Besides, customized training will be organized in reputed training institutions, both within the state and outside for FD staff associated with R&R activities under the project.
15.3 In addition, exposure visits will also be organized for the staff of FD to project sites within the state and outside where R&R programs are being managed successfully.
15.4 Good practices will be identified during preparation and implementation of R&R program under the project and these will be documented and disseminated widely among project functionaries, NGOs, COs and VSS. Director A P Forest Academy Dullapalli in FD will coordinate this.
15.5 An external agency for Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) engaged under the AP CFM Project will develop a data base, train FD staff, at state, district and divisional levels, in managing the data base and its periodic updating, and assist in preparing data formats and monitoring reports.
16. Grievance Redressal mechanism
All grievances related to land acquisition will be resolved through the provisions available in the LAA, 1894. However, for issues related to R&R activities, a grievance redressal mechanism is already in place at different levels. At the VSS level, its Management Committee and VAC will help resolve any grievances of affected families. At the Forest Section level, grievances will be addressed by the FSO. Forest Committees (with representations from VSS, Panchayat Raj Institutions, NGOs and concerned line departments) already working at the levels of ITDA/ Forest Division and the District, will also help finding solutions for issues that are not resolved satisfactorily at the VSS and Forest Section levels. Constitution of these committees are attached as Annex IV. Besides, the Social Development Specialist at the divisional level and NGO/CO will also assist the affected community in resolving their problems by referring them to the relevant agencies. The NGO/CO will record the grievances of the affected people and present the same in the forest committees for resolution. There is a state level Independent Advisory Group comprising of people of eminence in the areas of law and justice, social development, rural development and forestry to look into grievances arising out of implementing R&R related activities and advise the FD on suitable
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actions to be taken to redress them and monitor the same. Composition and TOR for this group are attached in Attachment 2.
18
Grievance Redress Mechanism
Affected FamilyGrievances
Not redressed Not addressed
Not addressed Not addressed
Not addressed Not addressed
17. Monitoring and evaluation
19
Village Advisory Council/VSS
ITDA level Forest Committee
Forest Divisional Committee
District Level Committee
Redressed
Redressed
Redressed
Redressed
Forest Beat or Section Officer
FRO / DFO
FRO / DFO
CFO / DFO
Independent Advisory Group PMU
Not redressed
Redressed
17.1 Internal monitoring: M&E of R&R activities planned under RAP is necessary to monitor the progress, identify bottlenecks, take up corrective measures and thus ensure adequate and timely implementation of RAP at the VSS as well as Project level. This provides adequate feedback to make necessary changes in the plan and update the database. The monitoring will be both internal and external. At the project level, the PMU through the Social Development Specialist will carry out conventional internal monitoring focusing on physical and financial aspects. At the divisional levels, this responsibility lies with the DFOs and the Sub DFO/FRO designated for R&R activities.
17.2 At the VSS level, the VSS along with representatives of affected families will be responsible to monitor the implementation at the VSS level. In this process, VSS will be assisted by the FD functionaries and NGO/CO at the field level.
17.3 External monitoring: An external M&E agency engaged for the A P CFM Project will also be responsible to monitor the implementation of R&R component of the project. Monitoring R&R component in other areas will be done by the PMU. This agency will also develop reporting formats to be used at different levels. These formats will have compatibility with the formats used for computer based data base management. The external agency will also be responsible for developing database and its periodic updating. This agency will also train FD staff at the state, district and divisional levels, in managing the computer based data management and its periodic updating. The external agency will submit its periodic monitoring reports at half yearly interval and two evaluation reports – project mid-term and end evaluation
17.4 Monitoring indicators: A set of indicators have been identified and presented in Annex V. However, the external M&E agency for the project will also be monitor the implementation of R&R activities under the project, will update the monitoring parameters and develop monitoring formats to be used at different levels
. 18. Implementation schedule
18.1 The immediate activities that are planned are establishing a Social Unit within PMU at the state level and post a Social Development Specialist to coordinate all R&R activities under the project at the state level. At the same time, in all those divisions where project activities will be initiated in the first year of the project, a Sub DFO/ FRO will be designated and made responsible for R&R activities GOAP will also contract NGO/CO in such areas where project activities are proposed to be undertaken in the first year of the project for monitoring RAP activities. These staff along with NGO/CO will facilitate VSS to undertake social impact assessment and prepare VSS based RAPs as part of Micro plans. Before the VSS initiate social impact assessment and prepare RAPs, training programs will be organized to equip them with required skills. Similarly, no income generation activities will be established unless the required training has been organized for the affected people. The detailed implementation schedule is shown in Table 5.
19. Costs and budget:
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The experience of motivating tribals who had encroached forest lands to give up agriculture on such lands and to bring them under productive tree cropping has given positive results in the North coastal Andhra Pradesh, especially in Visakhapatnam district. As already stated, nearly 37000 ha of encroached forestland was reclaimed through afforestation. This issue was deliberated in the various stakeholders’ workshops. Based on the experience of dealing with such situations during implementation of Joint Forest Management and the deliberations of the stakeholders workshops, it is estimated that not more than 50% of the encroachers would give up encroached land and take to alternate livelihood opportunities. Therefore, the tentative budgeting for this RAP is prepared presuming that 50% of encroachments and livelihood patterns are likely to be voluntarily surrendered in favor of VSS for CFM This estimate also includes similar eventuality that would have happened during implementation of Joint Forest Management. Out of 5000 VSSs included in the APCFMP, SEA and microplanning has been taken up in those VSSs that do not trigger R&R Policy and RAP. This process has been initiated and completed in 4247 VSSs so far (by December 2003). The remaining 753 VSSs are likely to attract implementation of R&R Policy and RAP. As seen from the data gathered during SEA for preparation of APCFMP, 8 VSSs reported families likely to be adversely affected due to implementation of this Project. These 8 VSSs reported 172 PAFs likely to be affected. Thus considering the average of 21.5 families per VSS (172 families in 8 VSSs), anticipated families likely to be affected in 753 VSSs is 16190. Going by the previous experience and as already stated above 50% of these families only are likely to voluntarily give up their present in favour of VSSs. In view of this, this RAP provides for rehabilitation grant and livelihood opportunities to an estimated 8095 families. The figures will be updated during the course of implementation of RAP will be revised accordingly. The details of rehabilitation measures are given below.
19.1 The cost items and norms used in developing the budget for R&R are as follows: VSS undertaking social impact assessment (SIA) and preparing RAP Provision for skill training at Rs 1,000 per affected family. It will be provided
to one adult member of the family. Rehabilitation grant (up to Rs 25,000) for IG activity for each affected family Rehabilitation grant for group based income generation activities in respect of
those VSSs where forest treatment on encroached forestlands had already happened during implementation of Joint Forest Management will be Rs. 25,000. This includes amount for providing assets and working capital wherever required.
Capacity building (of FD staff, functionaries of NGO/CO, MC members of VSS, and other village level government functionaries concerned with R&R activities) at Rs 600 per VSS member and Rs 3,000 per trainee (staff and NGO/CO functionaries)
External M&E agency to review and monitor all RAPs (This requirement is included in the Consultancy on Independent M&E of the Project).
Contracting an HRD agency to assess training needs, and develop training modules and materials
Contingency is built in the costs.
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19.2 The details of the budget over the project period is presented in Table 6. The budget for R&R activities at the VSS level will form an integral part of Micro Plan and other costs will come from the project.
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Table 5: RAP implementation schedule (for APCFM Project. For other VSSs, RAP s will be prepared and implemented along with microplans)
Project activities
2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07
Planning process (though planning process will be taken up in all the 5000 VSSs, RAP related planning will be taken up only in those VSSs that trigger implementation of R&R Policy. This is likely in 753 of the 5000 VSSs).
SIA initiated (No. of VSS)
4247 753
SIA completed (No. of VSS)
4247 753
RAP completed (No. of VSS)
753
RAPs approved by DFO (No.)
753
InstitutionalEstablishing a SD Unit in PMU
Established
Posting of Social Development Specialists in PMU
Posted
Designating Sub DFO/FRO at the district level for R&R activities (No.)
Designated
Equipping SD units at state/district levels
Completed
Engaging NGO/CO (No.)
Engaged
Contracting consultant for training need assessment
January 2004
Contracting an external M&E agency
Engaged
Capacity buildingPreparing training manual
March 2004
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and material
Training FD staff &
NGO/CO
June 2004
Training VSS members
June 2004
Exposure trips September 2004
Documenting good practices
June 2005
Developing data base and management
March 2004
Implementation of RAPNo. of VSS Where PAFs surrendering land (753)
2004-05
Issuing notices to prohibit sowing on encroached land
2004-05
PAFs extended R&R entitlements
2004-05
Organizing training for IGSFacilitating access to credit and marketIG activities established (No.)Monitoring IG activities
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Budget for R&R component: An amount of Rs 207.42 million is needed for meeting required for the activities contemplated. Details are given in below.
R&R activity
Unit cost 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 Total
Phy Fin Phy Fin Phy FinPhy Fin Phy Fin Phy Fin
SIA and VSS base RAP preparation
0.005Per VSS Included in micro-planning. No separate budget.
R&R grant to PAF
0.025 Per PAF 00.00
00.00 8095
202.375 0.00 0.00
0.00 0.00 0.00 8095
202.375
Training need assessment, development of training modules and training material 0.02 0.08 0.10Training to PAFs in skill upgradation for IGA and for utilizing RR Grant for 2 members per PAF Ls 00.00
00.00 1610
2.415 1610
0,805
1610
0.805 0.00 1610
4/025
Training to NGOs Ls 200 0.30 200 0.10 200 0.40Training to FD functionaries Ls 100 0.15 100 0.05 100 0.20Engaging M&E agency Included in hiring M&E consultant for Project monitoring. No separate budget for RAP.Total
0.20205.32
0.955
0.805
207.10
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Annex I Socio-economic profile of Project Affected Families
Annex II Consultation with affected community and other stakeholders
Details of stakeholders’ consultation during RAP preparation
As a part of the preparation of A.P. Community Forest Management Project, workshops have been held with the various stakeholders to elicit their suggestions and recommendations for the future project. The agencies that have held these workshops are: a) NIRD Hyderabad, the consultant appointed to conduct the Social and Environmental Assessment, b) M/s OM Consultants, Bangalore appointed to conduct Institutional Assessment Study, c) Center For World Solidarity, Hyderabad an NGO and d) the Forest Department. The NIRD held two state level workshops and three regional workshops, OM consultants held one state level Workshop, Center for World Solidarity held one state level workshop and four regional workshops and the forest department held two regional workshops. Besides these workshops, individual interviews with the potential affected families, focus group discussions, participatory mapping, transect walk, discussions with villages level knowledgeable persons, representatives of local bodies, VSS members, etc, were also held. The following table provides pertinent information on the issues discussed and views obtained during the stakeholders workshop on different aspects of the project including R&R.
Workshops conducted by OM consultantsState Level Work shop
DullapalliSFA
31-8-2001
All districts 60 60
Workshops conducted by Center for World SolidarityState level Hyderabad 18-07-
0114 43 26 83
29
Regional level
Visakhapatnam 26-6-2001
Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam
50 50 39 139
Regional level
Warangal 29-6- 2001
Warangal, Karimnagar and Khammam
23 5 50 78
Regional level
Nirmal 3-7-2001
Adilabad, Nizamabad and Medak
47 25 86 158
Regional level
Cuddapah 6-7-2001
Cuddapah, Chittoor and Nellore
38 13 86 137
Workshops Conducted by the Forest DepartmentRegional Work Shop
Warangal 22-11-2000
Telangana and Andhra Regions
65 65
Regional Workshop
Tirupathi 30-11-2000
Rayalaseema Region
46 46
2. Consultations with stakeholders’ for revising RAP during 2003: In addition to the above workshops that were held before preparing the AP Community Forest Management Project series of consultation meetings were conducted during April to August 2003 on the R&R Policy. In all 134 meetings were held on the issue. 10061 VSS members including those affected or likely to be affected, 602 NGOs and 2816 Officers and staff participated in these meetings. Of the members likely to be affected, 37.57% were found to be dependent exclusively on forestlands that they had encroached, 22.18% had lands outside the VSS forests in addition to forestlands occupied them in the VSSs, 39.66% were head-loaders and 0.59% were likely to lose houses. The R&R Policy that was prepared for the A P Community Forest Management Project was discussed at length during these meetings. These meetings were conducted for having detailed deliberations on the issues regarding R&R Policy and the Resettlement Action Plan that was prepared as part of A P Community Forest Management Project, examine it critically and come up with suggestions for its further improvement to establish a mechanism to ascertain voluntary nature of relinquishment especially of encroachments of forest lands in VSS areas and to widen the scope of the R&R Policy and Resettlement Action Plan to cover all the VSSs irrespective of source of funding and to cover similar eventualities that would have occurred during implementation of Joint Forest Management.
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Details of Participants at various consultation meetings is given below:
Sl.no Consultation level
No. of consultations
Number of participantsVSS/Affected
peopleNGOs FD
StaffTotal
1 Range 90 4815 198 1040 60532 Division 34 3992 243 1199 54343 Circle 9 1144 124 477 17454 State 1 110 37 100 237
Total 134 10061 602 2816 13469
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The existing R&R Policy specifying packages for different categories of affected people
prepared in Telugu was circulated to the stakeholders for discussions.
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State level consultation meeting:
After consultations with stakeholders at division level a state level meeting was conducted on
18.8.2003 at Hyderabad. The stakeholders who participated in the earlier meetings at range,
division and circle level have participated in the state level meeting
Opinions of the stakeholders in Range, Division and Circle level meetings:
Division: NirmalParticipant Observation
B.Kalyan, The affected families are very poor and they are dependent exclusively on the land encroached.
Shankar, The encroachers are completely dependent on the forestland. They are not ready to leave the encroached land because they are not having any other livelihood.
Division: AdilabadParticipant Observation
Laxmibai 200 Acres land is under occupation. If irrigation facilities are provided in their patta land,they are ready to leave the occupied land.
H.K.Jhaku Willing to surrender the land if any land or benefits are provided to him.Muthyam Reddy Due to illegal fellings the forests are reducing day by day and requested all the
members to adopt the R&R policy which is very good.Laxman About 520 Acres of land is under cultivation since 1972. If they are given (5)
Acre patta each they are ready to surrender the remaining encroached land.Motiram, Occupied land is more. If irrigation facility is provided to patta land they are
ready to handover the occupied landRamulu, 40-50 Acres of land is under occupation. Not willing to hand over this occupied
landPorushuram If sufficient water facility will be provided at a plot, they are willing to
handover this occupied land.R.Krishna, Some persons are completely dependent on the occupied land. If alternate
support can be provided they are ready to handover the land.Sajeev Rao, The policy introduced by the Govt is very good and each & every person
should understand the policy and handover the landGamgaram, He is earning Rs.25000/- per annum from the occupied land of (5) Acres. If the
Government provides Bore well he is willing to spare (2) Acres land to VSSK.Bondu, He encroached 3 acre land in addition to the10 acres patta land he possess. If
irrigation facility is provided to patta land he is willing to handover the encroached land.
Beershaw He has occupied 10 acresof land , out of which he is willing to spare 5 acres for raising plantation.
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Shanker He encroached 8 acre land in addition to the 8 acres patta land he possess. If irrigation sources are provided to patta land he is ready to surrender the entire occupied land.
Sakru bai, Not willing to spare the occupied landAthram Ramu, No body is willing to spare the occupied land, but (3) persons are willing to
spare to the extent of 10-12 acres
P.Gangaram Each family in the VSS is ready to surrender 6 acres out of the encroached 10 acre land to Forest Department. He wants to raise plantations of fruit trees like mango, Sitapal, Neem etc.
K.Dongu Rao He has agreed to hand over the encroached land to Forest Department if another agriculture land is given to them or plantations of fruit trees are raised
P.Noor Singh He has agreed to hand over the encroached land to Forest Department if another agriculture land is given to them or monetary support is extended.
M.Maruthi He stated that the encroached land will be given to Forest Department subject to discussion with their general body at their village level.They are ready to give only part of the encroached land retaining part of it. The Department should provide irrigation facility to the land retained by them.
N.Jangu He stated that out of 15 Acres land encroached by each family in their VSS. all are ready to give 10 Acres to Forest Department subject to providing irrigation facility to the balance 5 Acres land retain by them.
A.Bheem Rao He stated that they are ready to give encroached lands provided they are rehabilitated & resettled at a better place.
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Division: Bellampally
Participant ObservationAlumula Bheemaiah
Does not want to loose his encroahced land but agreed to protect adjacent forest area
Raju master Rehabilitation land may be provided nearer to Sungapur ProjectK.Keshav Not willing to handover the podu landSedam Raju Not willing to handover the podu land but willing to assist Forest Dept. in
protecting the forestsD.Narayana Willing to surrender 50% of podu lands for rehabilitation.B.Pochaiah Land may be provided to construct the housesA.Shanker Expressed doubt as how the Govt. can provide rehabilitation.D.Mallaiah Expressed doubt as how the Govt. can provide rehabilitation.K.Rajaiah The Govt. should show the alternate land for rehabilitation immediately .A.Chinnakka Alternate land may be provided in lieu of podu landMallesh, Compensation of the podu land may be provided with wet landsJangu bai If any individual is not satisfied with the compensation provided in leiu of
podu land, the incumbent may be permitted to continue with podu cultivation.
Ada Thirupathi rao
Due to poverty and daily wages people are resorting to head loads smuggling. If the govt. provides alternate resources no.of headloads smuggled may come down.
Division: JannaramAre
DubbarajamI bring 16 bamboos per day to make mats daily. From this we get Rs.50 per week. If loan is sanctioned I will open a Kiranashop/purchase an Auto for my livelihood and stop this practice.
Maddikunta Shanker
For my livelihood I get bamboo from forest. If 1-Acre land is provided along with two oxen and plough, I will not bring bamboo.
K.China Bheemaiah
For my livelihood I bring 16 bamboos for which I get Rs.50 per week. Hence, for cultivation purpose land along with oxen and plough may be provided as livelihood for my family.
Komre Rajavva I depend on bamboo from forest. Rs.20000/- loan may be provided for vegetable business for my survival.
K.Gattaiah I’m a labor. I go for daily wages and also get bamboo. One Auto may be provided for my livelihood
B.Bheemaiah I get bamboo from forest. Loan may be provided to do vegetable businessBheemanna I get bamboo from forest. Loan may be provided for 30 sheep.Madikunta
PadmaI get bamboo from forest. Loan may be provided for vegetable business
Jaineni Posam I get bamboo from forest. Loan may be provided for vegetable businessThatra Venkati I make 16 bamboo mats per day. One pair oxen and one cart may be
provided for my livelihood.Mudugu I am cultivating 5 Ac of podu land. 2 Acres land and 20 sheep may be
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Bhoomaiah provided Kotturi Posham I am cultivating 3 Ac of Podu. I will give 2 Ac to Forest Department. 1
Ac land ,20sheeps and one auto may be provided for my livelihood.Mudugu Chinnaiah
I am cultivating 3 Ac land . In 1 acre I will cultivate green grams and surrender 2 ac. 1 Oil Engine, 10 sheep &2 buffaloes may be provided for my livelihood.
Mudugu Jhani I am cultivating 4 acres of podu land. I will give 2 acres instead you have to provide me with land, 1 well, a motor & 20 sheep.
Madavi Bheem bai
My husband sells poles. If we stop this immediately then what about our livelihood?. Loan may be provided for vegetable business.
Kampalli Linganna
I have 4 Acres of Podu, I will surrender 2 acres to VSS if uyou provide me with 2 milch animals and Rs.40000/-.
I don’t have other land for cultivation. If you raise plantations I cannot wait for 5 years. In the three acres podu land Iam cultivating jowar.
Kosaraju I possess 5 acres podu land in which 3 acres only is cultivable. If Govt. extends support Iam ready to raise fruit trees like mango.
Ananthula Suresh
Villagers are questioning whether land will be given to them after raising fruit trees. Further they have questioned about thier means of livelihood for those 5 years.
Nagram Davu I am cultivating podu land for the past 15 years. If I leave that land how will I live?
Navugare Chukaiah
I am cultivating podu areas for past 10 years. I want land instead this land.
Tulsiram I will leave the land if Govt. gives 5-8 acres per 10 acres of podu .land with bore facility
Dongri Prabhakar
I did podu in consultation with the villagers. I will accept any developmental activity suggested by Govt.
Gadi Poshetti I possess 16 acres podu land and I have 8 children. If divided each child will get 2 acres land. How can I leave this land.
Halam Bimakka
We are cultivating podu areas. If well is dug in that area who will incur the cost.?
Julme Onaji Sub DFO has explained detailedly. People have to think and decide. Manepally Munukku
In the past, lands were very productive. Even from fresh areas crop yield will be more. Hence people are going for fresh areas. If Govt. extend support in all means we will a bide by your suggestion.
Amrutha We don’t have podu areas in our VSS. Govt. will not give patta for podu areas. Plant trees in this areas.
Nayani Satiyamma
We are cultivating for past 5 years. Forests are being degraded by this practice.
Bandi Sambaiah
In our village there are 15-20 families taking up podu. Some have other lands also. Bore facility should be provided in these lands.
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Jumdi Gurudas
Podu should not be encouraged. Forest lands needs to be protected.
Sadashiv In our village people started cultivating podu areas seeing other villages. Action has not been initiated against them.
Athram Bapu We will not leave the entire encroached lands. We also need fruit trees.Nikadi Jaggaiah
Each person has encroached 2-6 acres land.To some extent we will plant forests species only.We will prevent further encroachments.
Koratha Kullubaba
Each person has 1-2 acres of patta land. For the rest encroached area we need pattas
Sidam Sakaru We are not practicing podu in mysora. We will go according to the suggestion of FD. If 50-60 hectors lands is given under extension .We will raise forest species in that area.
K.Jalapathi Podu cultivation is going on from 1991-92. & FSO have been doing developmental works in our land. There is a pond in the RF down which cultivation are going on. We are not willing to leave this land. In past also they have attempted to raise medicinal plants. They should be brought under TDP. We will not encroach further.
Gangaram In Survey no. 91 PP people are willing to plant forest species. This area has been encroached for last 20 years. There are illegal pattas in RF area.
R.Bhimakka Planting work has to be started in VSS lands. There are many forestry lands under illegal occupation. By completing microplans forestry development works have to be started immediately. Works will go on only with the complete cooperation villagers.
Atram Shamrao
Patta lands are very few. Many lands are under illegal occupation. Trench has to be dug around podu lands. It will avoid expansion of illegally occupied podu lands. Forests have decreased. Villagers have to be convinced to lose some land and I will try for this.
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Division: Kamareddy
Participant ObservationP.Ranjit Nayak
There is illegal cultivation in this VSS. The effected families should be given either land ,sheepauto or support for a provision store.
B.Padma VSS members have been preventing people from encroachments and trying to evict people. If you provide financial support to the encroachers instead of punishing them, they will further encroach the forest lands.
Ganga sing Govt. should take following measures to prevent cultivation.1. Power supply should be stopped.2. The records of encroached land should be given to MRO for necessary action.3. Sarpanch should help the VSS members in preventing cultivation.4. Govt. should not provide any assistance to the encroachers.5. For encroachers cultivating 1acre land rehabilitation should provided if he evicts the area, as decided by the VSS committee.6. For people not willing to surrender encroached lands should be prosecuted by Govt.7. VSS members should be provided insurance and financial help in the form of honorarium.
B.Balaiah In case of old encroachments either Govt. should convince them or take action on them. VSS committee cannot help as it will create rift in the village. If necessary VSS may be cancelled. However, we will prevent further encroachment.
Division: Warangal (S) Participant. Observation
Y.Narayana VSS rejects the idea of providing alternate livelihood support to people having lands outside project area in addition to encroached lands
D.Veeranna VSS opined that for those persons who are dependant entirely on lands encroached, alternate support should in the form of land ,agricultural implements etc; should be provided,
B.Ramulu For affected persons having no other means of livelihood alternative support for income generation should be provided.
A.Dargaiah Persons likely to loose house, should be allowed to take their possessions from the old house and should be provided grant to construct house.
B.ratnam Persons not willing to surrender encroached lands should be made to raise plantations in that area and VSS has agreed for profit sharing.
A.Bhadraiah Head loaders should be supported with alternate income generation activities and also VSS has agreed to include them in VSS works.
G.Suvali In encroached lands , the encroachers should be made to raise plantations and VSS has agreed for this livelihood support.
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B.Laxmi For persons havind land outside project area in addition to encroached land no support should be provided . If any support is provided then it will encourage further encroachments.
Division: Karimnagar (W)
Participant. ObservationSrinivas DRDA should sanction Community irrigation well for the affected
families for persons having land outside project area in addition to land encroached and are likely to loose it.
Satyanarayana No form of support should be provided, as it will further encourage encroachments.
Komuraiah Support for cultivating outside land like providing irrigation facilities and financial support etc should be provided.
N.Ramulu Provide any financial supportPremchand Yadav
After confirming the truth, provide livelihood support.
G.Balashekar If we extend any help for these people we will be encouraging them for further encroachments.
Banda Lakshmi Rajam
Do not provide any support if you provide fresh encroachments will start.
M.Chandriah If we extend any help for these people we will be encouraging them for further encroachments.
Rajireddy Provide support to generate additional income for families having alternate sources of income and are likely to be affected.
Ganga Reddy Don’t encourage by supporting largely for families having alternate sources of income and are likely to be affected.
Srinivasu Provide support from Velugu project for families having alternate sources of income and are likely to be affected by project.
Pallepu Lakshman
Provide me some daily labour then I’will not go to forest.
Lakshman Yadav For families not willing to surrender encroached lands, evict them by providing land outside project area. (Or)If plantatrion is raised then after excluding extraction costs the profit share should be 50:50 for VSS and the affected family respectively.
Chalimella Rajalingam
For people who are entirely dependent on land encroached and are likely to be affected, verify whether these people have bought lands with income from encroached lands and if there are such people don’t extend any help to them.
Srinivasu Income generatiuon activities should be taken up with help from S.C.Corporation, B.C.Corporation or ITDA according to the caste .
Raji Reddy Alternate land for that land should be provided along with irrigation facilities.
Komuraiah Revenue Poramboke lands should be given . It is very good if buffaloes are also provided.
Gangaiah Survey the forst areas properly and verify if they are really encroached or
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not.Devaiah Evict the encroachers by providing some alternate means of livelihood.
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Division: Nalgonda
Participant ObservationCh. Mattaiah Horticulture plants should be raised in encroached land, benefits should
be shared 50:50 between Govt and encroacher.K.Laxamaiah 1 Benefits from VSS area should be shared in 70:30 ratio in between
VSS and Govt.2. Permission to raise horticulture crops on encroached land should be given.
J.Mallesham For the head loaders alternative should be arranged by providing dried material, material coming out of cultural operations
R. Saidulu 1. For the head loaders alternative should be arranged by providing general stores and other alternative incoming generating sources.2. Permission to raise horticulture crops on encroached land should be given..3. Benefits from VSS area should be shared in 70:30 ratio in between VSS and Govt.
P.Chinni Alternate employment arrangement should be created for the people who are dependent on forest.
M.Bichya Nayak Agriculture land cultivated by me for the last 23 years should be registered in my name . For the Head Loaders housing and other alternative employment generating activities should be provided by providing economic support
Division: KakinadaParticipant Observation
Karam Lacha Rao Dora.
The individual has two Ac. Of land, but due to improper irrigation facility & no cattle to plough his land, he become a professional head loader. He is ready to get rid of the profession, if a couple of cattle are provided to plough his kind.
Karim Chinnnalu Dora,
Though the individual has 5 Ac of land yunder D.Form. Patta, but due to improper irrigation facility and has no cattle to plough his land, he became a professional Head Loader. He is ready to get rid of the profession, if a couple of cattle are provided to plough his land.
Podium Posayya Dora
The individual has no land. He is completely dependent on forests. His livelihood is collecting firewood from the nearest forests and selling the same in the nearest villages. He wants an alternative livelihood to his present profession of head loader.
Panda Jaggamma The individual has no land. He is completely dependent on forests. His livelihood is collecting firewood from the nearest forests and selling the same in the nearest villages. He wants an alternative livelihood to withdraw his present profession of Head loader.
Julumuri Veera Stated that there are 50 head loaders. How will they survive if they are
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Babu stopped? Govt. has to show permanent means of livelihood like giving financial support to 25 persons, bullock carts to 10 persons and sheep to 15 families.
Bachchala Venkat Rao
There are 25 head loaders and for livelihood support they should be given Sheep (20 members)& Cattle (5 members).
Kondra Suri Babu 25 head loading families are there. Affected youth who are educated should be given autos and others should be given 15 sheep, cattle and provision store.
Mulla Lachchi Reddy
Possess 10 acres podu land from 10 years which has been included in the Devarapalli VSS area and bamboo plantation is raised by department in 2001
Podiyam Ganga Raju
Posess podu land for livelihood which has been included in the Sunnampadu VSS area and bamboo plantation is raised by department in 2001
Sundru Bhumayya
Cultivating podu land for livelihood which has been included in the Ramanna valasa VSS area and bamboo plantation is raised by department in 2001
Division : KhammamParticipant. ObservationAjura Bansilal First Government has to issue Patta lands. Then we leave the Forestland.Tejavat Kamala,.
We are not interested to plant trees in podu lands. VSS will not have any right on that land.
Gangavat Bicca,
So many people are depending on podu cultivation. We are ready to plant trees. We should plant fruit trees.
Mukti Sreenivasa Rao.
If we cultivate in podu lands we get more benefit. If we cultivate in Patta lands, we get less benefit. So we request the government to allot us a good agriculture land.
Saidulu We agree for the clonal plantations in VSS area. For the poor head-loaders, government should help by providing buffaloes or finance.
Chunchu Babu Every year it is very difficult to live without crop. Per acre we get Rs. 8000/-. Yearly we get 2 crops. If Government takes the land, how can our children live? So we are not agreeing to handover the crop lands. In case if the Government gives the crop lands with all facilities, then we are ready to leave the Podu lands.
Padiga Ramaiah If government takes away the occupied land, we do not have anything for our livelihood. Crop is not sufficientand my family is big . We have 4 acres of Podu land. In case if the government plant trees, it will take lot of time to give its produce. For this reason, we are not agreeing.
Each household should be given 5 acres as pattas.25 acre podu land occupied by my 4 sons should be made pattas.
Badavath Ramdan
There is no irrigation facility in our lands. Hence I’m not willing to leave the encroached land.
Made Papaiah I posses 5 acres land .You can raise mango, cashew etc, but ownership of land should remain with me.
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Jara Rambabu I can give 3 acres for raising fruit species in the 7 acres land I possess.Irpa Okkaiah I will raise fruit trees like mango in the 3 acres I possess ,if the seedlings
are given.Veesam Neelaiah
We are dependant on this land for the past 25 years hence we are not willing to hand over.
Polam Jaggaram
The lands I possess has good facility of irrigation and more productive than other lands hence Iam not willing to leave it
Eesam Swami My father had cultivated 10 acres of land on distribution we got 2 acres only. It will be good if it is improved.
Pusem Malliah I possess 3 acres of land which I cannot give.Kunja Ramaiah I possess 2 acres of land which, I cannot give even if alternate land is
given.
Division: Paloncha Participant Observation
Tati Nangaiah We have no objection to hand over encroached land if alternate livelihood is provided in the form of clonal and fruit tree plantations.We will not encroach fresh areas.
Payam Punnamma
We don’t own any land.Podu lands in our possession for the past 10 years should be left for us.We do not agree for surrender of land because it is the source of our livelihood.
Payam Kamaraju
We are cultivating the podu lands for past 25 years which we will not surrender. They are our livelihood as we do not possess land elsewhere.We have approached the revenue people repeatedly to issue pattas for that land.We request the forest and revenue deptartmantsto allot those lands to us .We will not encroach any fresh areas
Yasam Rajamma
We donot possess any land. For the past 25 years we are dependant on these podu lands which we will not surrender.We do not want to go to jail in this respect. Do justice to us.
Banothu Chawla
Since 1986 floods we are struggling for livelihood.We are cultivating podu lands and raising crops.We donot possess land .ITDA, P.O has promised to issue pattas .So we are not going to surrender our lands.
Tati Rajamma I am cultivating 3 acres podu land .Our lands should be kept to us only.
When VSS is formed, 8 families have lost 18 acres land as it is included in the VSS. They are dependent on this land entirely.
Gollori Nani Babu
4 families have surrendered 12 acres of land to VSS.
Sahina China Ramachary
In the 125 ha allotted to VSS, 4 families have lost 20 acres of land.
Kotari Appa Rao In the area allotted to VSS, kotari Somaiah has surrendered 8 acres of land, on which he is dependent.
Sangi Konda babu
9 families have surrendered 23 acres of land during formation of VSS.
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Vanthala Rama Rao
6 families have surrendered 15 acres of podu land to VSS.
Not Clear In VSS areas there are no affected families.Gandi Chinna Krishna chary
4 families have surrendered 12 acres to the VSS.
Sagina Chinna baba chary
4 families have surrendered 8 acres land to VSS.
Kilodi bonju babu 3 families have lost 12 acres of land, during formation of VSS.Korra Nukaraju, 10 VSS members are cultivating 1 acre each.Vanathala besu V All members are cultivators.Sarabahaiyya 6 families are affected.Mata kamaraju There are no affected familiesKamadam Somalingam
7 families have cultivated 10 acres
Vanthala Rama Rao
There are people who have houses in RF and land in the VSS.
Pangi Vinod There are 10 cultivators dependent on VSS land Tambelu Ravinder
5 people have surrendered 25 acres of land to VSS. They are dependent entirely on that land.
Korra Madhava Rao
7 VSS members are cultivating 10 acres of land.
Poturi Linga murthy
2 families have 3 acres of land in VSS, they have other land for survival.
Tella Naiya 2 people are cultivating 4 acres in VSS, they also have land outside.Pottur Appa Rao No encroachmentsGolluri Papa rao 9 members have encroached 45 acres of land in VSSG.Ananda Rao Only 1 member is having land in VSS.Korra Nagaraju No encroachments in VSSKorra Nageshwara
All members are cultivating in VSS area, they are dependent on it.
Taggi Rama rao People in 5 and 6 categoryKorra subba Rao 7 members have surrendered 30 acres of land to VSS, they are now
working with VSS members.Jampa nuka raju 10 members have raised cashew plantation in VSS area. If any group
based IGA, is taken up, they will leave the plantation.Kella Achiyalu 2 Families have raised cashew plantation in VSS area.If any group based
IGA, is taken up, they will leave the plantation.Jampa Lowaraju 5 families cultivating podu in VSS area. If any group based IGA, is taken
up, they will leave the area.T.Achyutu No podu areasK.Yeshoda For affected persons, any group based activity should be taken for
rehabilitation.Kalyani, For affected persons, any group based activity should be taken for
rehabilitation.Mamidi VSS members have voluntarily taken forest area for development.
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JagannaramMadumala papa rao
On request, forest department has shown alternate livelihood in the form of VSS.
K.Linga murthyJarila chitti babu
We have voluntarily surrendered the land , because we felt that VSS will benefit us.
Korra nandu We have voluntarily surrendered the land , because we felt that VSS will benefit us.
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Division: SrikakulamParticipant Observation
Nimakka Laxman Rao
There are 20 families in our village, which live on head loading for livelihood. We need goats and support for business.
Savara Duggaiah We depend entirely on podu for livelihood. We may be provided goats and bullocks.
S. Totaiah 23 families are possessing podu lands. Provide loans for goats or business as alternate support
K.suryanarayana, In our village 24 families are dependent on head loading. We want goats for livelihood.
Badana Ramaiah Around 10 acres have been encroached by members, since there is no alternate livelihood. Kindly provide support to raise plantations.
Parasilli ganapathi
In contrast to the above proposal kindly provide us loan.
Jemmana Narayana
We are head loaders. Provide us good grafts for raising plantations.
P.Darma rao From the past we are dependent on Podu, we do not have any other alternative. We should be given rights on that land.
K. Kurma rao We will not leave the podu lands in our possession.N.Shanta rao There are head loaders and podu cultivators in our VSS. If govt provides
any livelihood support they are ready to leave the land.S.Sambru We are dependent on podu from the past as, there is no other livelihood.
Whatever schemes you propose , we are not going to leave the land.J.Mokha lingam 20 families have lost livelihood due to formation of Saparaiguda VSS.
They may be provided support under CFM.K.Kurma Rao If you provide rights to us everything is provided.P.Durga rao There are head loaders and podu cultivators in our VSS. If govt provides
any livelihood support they are ready to leave the land.R.Rama Rao In our VSS, people have encroached RF for cultivation. Provide any
alternate livelihood for them.K.Rama Rao
M. Machhaiah We are dependent on head loading from the past. We do not have any podu lands.
B.Bangaraiah We have old podu, and we depend on head loading.G.Rama Rao We don’t have podu but, there is a cashew plantation raised by BC in
VSS area. Laleti Laxman Rao
I possess 25 cents podu land. I need a financial support for livelihood.
Kolaka ramulamma
I am a head loaderg. Provide financial support for milch cattle.
Palaka annapurnamma
I am a head loader. Provide financial support for dairy farm.
Kundani Krishna Rao
I possess podu land . I need goats, cows or financial help.
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Savaral Akkaiah I am a head loader.Provide financial support for sheep.Arika Shantamma I possess podu land. Provide financial help for dairy farm.Gunjwada laxman rao
From the past, we are dependent on forest land, we will not leave it.
Agadhala Ekasamma
We are living inside RF, we cannot leave the resources there.
Kottur Somaiah I am a head loader. Kindly provide sheep or cowsfor livelihood.
Pedinti Pollaiah I depend on podu and headloading for livelihood and I need milch cattle, leaf plate making machines and agarbatthi industry.
Janni Dharma rao I am a head loader. For livelihood dairy farm, sheep, poultry farm motors for agri wells should be given.
P.Achutar Rao In encroached areas, fruit species may be raised. In outside areas, provide facilities for agriculture.
B.Appa Rao We are doing podu because we don’t have any other land. Give us land.A.Ganga Rao Since we don’t have any other livelihood, we are dependent on podu,
show some alternatives in the form of land or financial help.
Division: VizianagaramParticipant Observation
G.Lachaiah 8 families were practicing podu in our village prior to formation of VSS. In this land we have raised plantations from which we have some livelihood .In addition to this the 8 families may be given loans for sheep, leaf plate making ,and houses may be constructed for them under CFM.
Pothanapalli Chandar Rao
Due to drought conditions there is severe water problem in our village. Under CFM drinking water or bore facility may be provided to us. For those not having even a cent of land labor should be provided.Houses may be constructed for 9 families.
Thuneti Venkat Rao
Prior to formation of VSS we were practicing podu. After VSS is formed we are earning livelihood by selling broomsticks. We want rehabilitation in the form of land for land
Gemmala Ramu At the time of formation of VSS there were 25 families practicing podu.Presently they are selling broom sticks for living .As rehabilitation they want land equal to surrendered land and facilities like agri. implements and financial help for cultivating the land.
Muvvala Manikyamma
At the time of formation of VSS there were 80 families practicing podu.Presently, 35 families are selling broom sticks for living .As rehabilitation they want land equal to surrendered land and facilities like agri .implements and financial help for cultivating the land.
Doneru Chinnamma
Prior to formation of VSS 25 families were dependent on encroached lands which they have left after formation of VSS. Alternate livelihood may be provided for them.
Sebi Adayya Prior to formation of VSS 18 families were dependent on encroached lands which they have left after formation of VSS. Alternate livelihood may be provided for them.
Meesala Seerelu Prior to formation of VSS 30 families were dependent on encroached
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lands which they have left after formation of VSS. Alternate livelihood may be provided for them
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Velega Chinnarao Prior to formation of VSS 19 families were dependent on encroached lands which they have left after formation of VSS. Alternate livelihood may be provided for themMembers do not have livelihood as the lands they were cultivated included in VSS. For the NTFP available there are no marketing facilitiesSolution: House construction, supply of Milch cattle, Cycles Tent house, and mike sets for livelihood and marketing facility for NTFP. VSS is in need of roads community halls, bores, culverts, agricultural implements check dams and percolation tanks.
S Mohan 30 families were practicing podu .Due to formation of VSS the land is included in VSS.These people are presently struggling for livelihood by collecting dry twigs, small NTFP, and are getting insufficient wages. Hence they may be provided land for cultivation, facilities for modern cultivation techniques and bank loans.
Mellika RajaRao 35 families were practicing podu .Due to formation of VSS the land is included in VSS.These people are presently struggling for livelihood by selling fuel wood and are working for meagre wages. Hence they may be provided land for cultivation, facilities for modern cultivation techniques and bank loans.
G.Bosu There are no affected families in our village due to formation of VSS. But for livelihood support.
Sambangi Paramesu
There are 5 families cultivating inside RF and after formation of VSS in 1997 have lost the land to VSS. Further there are 12 families entirely dependent on forests. We have raised 15000 plants in 4 acres area but have left that land after formation of VSS.
K.Veeraiah In this VSS there are 15 families who have no land including one crippled person. Also there are 10 families without house and 20 headloaders.
Y.Kesava Rao If NGO comes to our village and convinces the people, they are willing to stop podu. But they doubt whether Government will extend help .
T.Vasudeva Rao If everything is implemented as discussed and decided in GO 13 consultations , we will stop doing podu
Division: PaderuParticipant. Observation
G.Appala Swamy
11 families were living on podu cultivation prior to formation of VSS. . Give us banjaru lands and loans for our livelihood.
B.Swamy Even though we have lands, 13 families were doing podu cultivation before formation of VSS. After VSS formation,we stopped podu cultivation. Give us banjaru lands for our livelihood.
B.Gani Before VSS formation, our 9 families are depending fuel wood from forest hills. Provide us livelihood.
G.Buddu Our 14 families are depending on 70 acres of forestlands for podu. If Rs.26000 for each family is provided for our business&livelihood, we will
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develop forestsV.Govindu Before formation of VSS we were dependent on fuel wood from forest. We
stopped this after formation of VSS. Save us with livelihood support for our 3 families.
V.Chetu Our 6 families are possessing30 acres of podu lands. If Rs.18000 for each family is provided for business or livelihood, we will develop forests.
K.Kannaiah Even though we have lands, 5 families were doing podu cultivation before formation of VSS. Give us loans for our livelihood, as pattas lands are not sufficient.
P.Somara Prior to formation of VSS we were dependant on headloading .Presently we do not have any livelihood .Provide us livelihood, to feed our families.
K.Sonia Prior to formation of VSS our 10 families were depending on podu. Provide us loans for our livelihood.
S. Padma Even though we have lands, 9 families were doing podu cultivation before formation of VSS. Give us loans for our livelihood, as pattas lands are not sufficient.
S. Bheemanna Prior to formation of VSS our 10 families were depending on headloading. Provide us loans for our livelihood.
K.Ramanna Our 5 families are depending on 15 acres of forestlands for podu. If Rs.15000 for each family is provided for our business/livelihood, we will develop forests
K.Baburao Having pattas, depending on podu to meet our livelihood. After formation of VSS, stopped. Give banjaru lands to our 2families for our livelihood
V.Moddu Prior to formation of VSS our 3 families were depending on headloading. Provide us loans for our livelihood
S.Naarsingarao Our 9 families are depending on 45 acres of podu lands . If Rs.20000 for each family is provided for our business/ livelihood, we will develop forests
S.Mangla Even though we have lands8 families were doing podu cultivation before formation of VSS. Give us loans for our livelihood, as pattas lands are not sufficient
S.Pedda Bhim Naidu
Even though we have lands, 10families were doing podu cultivation before formation of VSS. Give us loans for our livelihood, as pattas lands are not sufficient
P.Sanyasi, S/o.Lachu
5 families were doing podu cultivation before formation of VSS. Give us loans for our livelihood, as pattas lands are not sufficient
P.Parvathi, W/o. Gundanna
Prior to formation of VSS our 3 families were depending on headloading. Provide us loans for our livelihood
V.Veeranna, S/o. Sanchedi
Prior to formation of VSS we possessed podu land .Provide me loan for vegetable business for our livelihood.
Sobha Janakamma, W/o. Hari
Prior to formation of VSS we possessed podu land families Provide me loan for bangle business for our livelihood.
P.Pratap Our 11 families are depending on 20 acres of forestlands for podu. If Rs.25000 for each family or two acres land for each family is provided for
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our business/ livelihood, we will develop forestsK.Mukundu Our 6 families are depending on 12 acres of hill forest lands for podu.
Stopped after formation of VSS. If loan is provided for our 6 families for livelihood, we will develop forests.
K.Hari We 4 families, having patta lands, were doing podu on forest hills. Stopped on formation of VSS.
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K.Padma Prior to formation of VSS our 5 families were depending on headloading. Stopped after VSS formation. Provide loan for our livelihood.
K.Anandarao Prior to formation of VSS our 3 families were dependant on podu in forests Lost livelihood. Loans for livelihood may be provided. We will develop forests.
T.Lachanna Even though we have lands, 3 families were doing podu cultivation before formation of VSS. We are doing agriculture in patta lands. Banjaru lands may be sanctioned.
B.Padma Prior to formation of VSS our 4 families were dependant on podu in forests Lost livelihood. Loans for livelihood may be provided. We will develop forests.
S.Ramanna Our 18 families are depending on 90 acres of forest lands for podu. If Rs.40000 for each family is provided for our business/livelihood, we will develop forests
G.Ramchender Before formation of VSS we were meeting livelihood from fuel wood. Provide loans to our 11 families to feed us.
K.Berse, Our 6 families are depending on 30 acres of forest lands for podu. If loan is provided for our families to do business we will meet our livelihood.
K.Sambu Before formation of VSS we were meeting livelihood from forest fuel wood. Provide loans to our 3 families to feed us.
K.Subba Rao We do not have lands .Dependant on podu. If 22 acres podu type banjar land is allotted to the 8 families, we will make out living..
P.Sonnu We do not have lands. Dependant on podu. If loan of Rs.40000 per family is allotted to the 8 families, we will make out livelihood
S.Jattu 6 families dependent on 8 acres of forest lands for podu. If 3 acres each land is allotted can earn our living
S.Sitaram Even though we have lands, 2 families were doing podu cultivation before formation of VSS. Providing loans for business to feed familiesas patta lands are insufficient.
K.Prahlad Landless. Podu for livelihood by 6 familiesG.Balanna With own lands, doing podu for livelihood – 4 families. All are doing podu
in 35 acres of forest land. Want financial help for K.Arjun for tailoring shop- Rs.25,000. Want financial help to raising more income generating species and fruit trees in podu lands to develop financially.
V.Koche Before VSS, our 3 families doing podu. Survival is difficult now. If financial help is given, we will do business to feed our families.
V.Moddu Even though I have lands, Iam doing doing podu. If financial help is given, I will feed my family.
P.Ambati Before formation of VSS, our 6 landless families were doing podu at foots of hill forests Survival is difficult now. If financial help is given, we will do business to feed our families.
V.Kosaraju Before formation of VSS, our families were taking fuel from forest for livelihood. Stopped now. If financial help is given, we will do business to feed our families
52
K.Jagabandhu Before VSS,we were doing podu in forests.Survival is difficult now. If financial help is given, we will do business to feed our families.
G.Appanna Even though we have lands, we were doing podu cultivation before formation of VSS.
G.Gangadhar Before formation of VSS, families were doing podu in forests.. . Survival is difficult now. If financial help is given, we will feed our families.
B.Neelakantam 15 members doing podu in 30 acres forest lands. 2 acres banjaru each or Rs.25,000/- financial helps for business will help for livelihood.
M.Gopal 7 members doing podu in 21 acres forest lands. 2 acres banjaru each or Rs.25,000/- financial help for business will help for livelihood.
M.Bheemanna 5 families doing podu in 10 acres forest lands. 2 acres banjaru each or Rs.25,000/- financial help for business will help for livelihood.
K.Pollu Doing podu for dependence though we 3 families have little land. Required tailoring machines and financial help for business.
K.Rama Rao 23 members doing podu in 40 acres forest lands. 2 acres banjaru each or Rs.25,000/- financial help for business will help for livelihood
J.Murali 10 members doing podu in 30 acres forest lands. 2 acres banjaru each or Rs.25,000/- financial help for business will help for livelihood
P.Pollu 23members doing podu in 45 acres forest lands. 2 acres banjaru each or permission to raise coffee in VSS with Rs.25,000/- financial help for livelihood .
P.Gurumurthy 31 families are doing podu, even after having patta lands. Extend support by providing 2 acres land with permission to raise coffee and Rs. 20,000 Or Providing small scale industry with jobs to us.
K.Modhu Doing podu in 12 acres forest lands to feed 7 families.Extend support by providing 2 acres land and with permission to raise coffee and 20,000 financial help. Providing small scale industry with jobs to us will also help.
K.Sanyasi 9 members doing podu in 33 acres forest lands. 2 acres banjaru each or Rs.25,000/- financial help for business will help for livelihood.
K.Dobulu 7members doing podu in 15 acres forest lands. 2 acres banjaru each or Rs.25,000/- financial help for business will help for livelihood.
K.Appalaswami 21 members doing podu in 30 acres forest lands. 2 acres banjaru each or Rs.25,000/- financial help for business will help for livelihood.
G.Neelamma We are doing podu in 14 acres forest lands to feed 7 families. Help us by providing 2 acres each with permission to raise coffee and 25,000 financial help for our livelihood.
S.Jinnu We are doing podu in 12 acres forest lands to feed 6 families. Help us by providing 2 acres each with permission to raise coffee and 25,000 financial help for our livelihood
T.Moddu We are doing podu in 4 acres forest lands to feed 4 families. Help us by providing 2 acres each with permission to raise coffee and 25,000 financial help for our livelihood
G. Kondala Rao We are doing podu in 13 acres forest lands to feed 3 families. Help us by providing 2 acres each with permission to raise coffee and 25,000 financial help for our livelihood
53
V.Jagannadham We are doing podu in 20acres forest lands to feed 4 families. Help us by providing 2 acres banjar each or 25,000 financial help for our livelihood .
K.Chondor We are doing podu in25 acres forest lands to feed 11 families. Help us by providing 2 acres each or 25,000 financial help for our livelihood
K.Purushotham We are doing podu in 10acres forest lands to feed 5 families. Help us by providing 2 acres banjaru or 25,000 financial help will help us do business for livelihood.
V.Soma We are doing podu in 16acres forest lands to feed 8 families. Help us by providing 2 acres banjaru or 25,000 financial help will help us do business for livelihood.
K.Srinath We donot have any land. Doing podu in 8 acres for 4 families.We request you for loans for business, cattle and goats and banjar lands.
P.Protimma We 5 families are depending on podu for livelihood. We have small piece of land. We request you for financial help for business, and machines for addakula stitching, cloth stitching etc;
P.Chittanna We 6 families are feeding our families by selling fuel wood from forests from forest.We request for loans for business cattle and for kirana shopand banjar lands for livelihood.
K.Satrughnu 1. no lands. Depended on podu – 5 acres – lost livelihood – loan for business, sanction of banjar lands and loan for growing vegetables; 2. some lands doing podu for livelihood. Loan for business, sanction of banjar lands3. sanction of banjaru lands and loan for business.
G.Nageswara . 1. no lands. Depended on podu – – lost livelihood – loan for business
S.Mohana Rao Lost livelihood due to stopping of podu in forest lands – 38 families in 40 acres. Loans for business and loans for growing allam and pasupu.
K.Sitaram Own lands not sufficient, depending on podu in forests. 20 families. Sanction of loan for addakula stitching machines.
M.Muddu Depending on fuel and forest produce. 5 families. Sanction of banjaru lands for livelihood and loans for cattle( for milk business)
V.Chitan, S/o.Lachanna
1. Podu dependent families: 15 families for 15 acres of forest lands.
P.Mukta, w/o.Gundanna
2. Podu dependent families having own lands: 4 families3.dependents on fuel and usufruct : 5 families Requests: those totally dependent on podu: loans for business, lands for landless.
G.Dombu, B.Kamsula
Landless doing podu – 20 members in 35 acres: loan for business; sanction of banjar lands, loan for growing vegetables and for women loan for addakula stitching machines.
G.Arjun Some land but doing podu for livelihood – lost – sanction of banjaru landsG.Tellamma Depended on fuel from forest lands and forest produce; loan for business,
sanction of banjaru lands and loan for growing vegetables.G.Vasudev No lands doing podu in forest lands 3 families in 4 acres. Loans for
business, loans for kirana and addakula stitching machine.Some lands but
54
doing podu in forests for livelihood. Sanction of banjaru lands. Depending on fuel and forest produce. Loans for business, loans for goats (and for women) addakula stitching machines
G.Venkata and K.Appalamma
No lands 10 families Loans for business, sanction of banjaru lands ; loans for growing allam and pasupu.Some lands - but doing podu in forests for livelihood. Loans for business and loans for addakula machines.Depending on fuel and forest produce. Loans for business, sanction of banjaru lands.
K.Chander and K.Sonnu
26 members landless doing podu in 25 acres – for livelihood loans for business, sanction of banjar lands and for women stitching machines.
G.Guruvaiah Some land doing podu 3 families lost livelihood – loans for business, sanction of banjaru lands and for women for addakula stitching machines.
R.Balaji Depending on fuel and forest produce 2 families. Loans for business and sanction of banjaru lands.
P.Bheemanna and D.Tulasi
9 families are landless depending on podu in forests. Loans for business, sanction of banjaru lands and loans for growing vegetables and for women to acquire addakula stitching machines.
P. Appalaswamy
Some land but depending on podu in forests 5 families lost livelihood – loans for business, stitching machines for woken and sanction of banjaru lands.
P.Rammurthy Depending on fuel and forest produce – 7families – loans for business, sanction of banjaru lands and loans for growing vegetables.
S.Rambabu and Smt.A.Appallamma
Landless – doing podu 16 families lost livelihood – loans for business, sanction of banjaru lands and loans for growing vegetables and for woken addakula stitching machines.
V.Madhu Some lands – depending on podu 19 families lost livelihood – loans for business sanction of banjaru lands and for women stitching machines.
T.Valubabu Depending on fuel and forest produce 11 families – loans for business sanction of banjaru lands and loans for growing vegetables.
Sonia Subba Rao
We are cultivating few acres of podu land as we do not have any other means for survival. Provide us financial help for alternate livelihood.
Killo Bheemanna
I am doing podu inside RF, though I am having land as my land is insufficient.
Pedakapu Varalamma
We are cultivating few acres of podu lands, but presently working as agricultural labour. Provide financial help for alternate livelihood.
Opinions expressed in the State level meeting:
Sl.No. Name of the Participant
Observation Time
1 SarvasriRavi Pragada, NGO, Samata
The poor people work for the land. Since the start
of forest administration, the conflict with the
Department has started. As per the paper
3.30
PM
55
published, dated 10.12.2002, about 3413 Sq.Km
of forest area is under occupation which
constitutes 5% of the entire land/ earth. As per
land utilization records, 50 to 70% of the land
with Forest Department is in agency areas, 17%
Agriculture, Irrigated land 6%, . The Tribal
population has increased by 30% and as per the
feed-back the tribals are not ready to part with
the Podu land.
2 Sidam Shambu
of Utnoor
Range./
Adilabad dist.
In Adilabad division, 60% of the forest land is
under encroached. The R & R Policy Revision
was discussed at Range and Division levels. The
Forest land is encroached by the landless whose
entire livelihood is dependent on this and also
encroached by the people having lands outside the
forests. Under R & R Policy, rehabilitation
should be made to the landless only. Similarly
a decision has to be taken about the persons, who
are landless and have not occupied any forest
land. For the encroached lands, the Government
has provided Electricity, Borewell etc and if
shifted outside the forests, will the government
provide all these facilities. The people should be
made aware that by raising plantations they get
more revenue.
3.32
PM
3 Chairperson/
Gokavaram
VSS/Kakinada
Division.
In Yelleshwaram Constituency many landless
people were carrying out Podu and also earning
their livelihood by selling dead and dry trees as
fuel wood. I have personally discussed with the
concerned forest officials for providing alternate
income generation to these people. About 2500
3.38
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56
acres of Cashew Plantations, was raised by them
in vacant protected forest lands. But till now no
Pattas are given to them. The rehabilitation
policy should be for landless and also to the
people having very meager land as the
productivity is very low, due to failure of rains/
drought.
4 CCF(CFM) The CCF (CFM) has expressed to clearly say what type of rehabilitation is needed for those who are voluntarily giving up the Podu areas to the VSS. The idea is not to forcibly stop Podu in forest areas or evict them.
3.45
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57
5 S.Subrahmanyam.
Chairperson,
Punganur./
Chittoor
In VSS areas , if grazing by cattle and sheep is
stopped the members have to be compensated
by providing alternate resources.
3.47
PM
6 Omkar Singh,
IFS, CCF.
The Joint survey of encroached lands is under
progress and after completion of this exercise
the total forest area under encroachment will be
known and as per records 40% of the
encroached area is under VSS. Based upon
the date, we have to find out in how many
VSS there is encroachment and also the
number of people who have encroached. The
details of pre and post 1980 encroachments
should be clearly made available, so that they
can be dealt separately by adopting different
packages. The amount of financial assistance,
credit availability etc. should be informed to
the VSS members initially. The different issues
have to be discussed point –wise as was done
in case of incremental growth.
3.50
PM
7 Prl. CCF. The Prl. CCF. has clarified the participants
that, the issue under discussion is that, if a
person voluntarily agrees to include Podu
area in VSS what kind of rehabilitation he can
be given and alternate sources of income that
may be provided.
3.54
8 Murlikrishnam
Naidu. Atmakur/
Nellore district
The Mango and other fruit bearing species are
planted in the forest land and whether they
are eligible for the returns.
3.56
PM
9 Dhanuja, NGO As per our survey in about 879 acres of 3.53
58
Ananthapur. encroached land under Bukkapatnam VSS,
plantations were raised in JFM under VSS as
per voluntarily agreement of the encroachers.
But they were not called for the R & R policy
meeting held at Range and now the persons
who are SC and ST and who have given these
lands to VSS are asking about their
rehabilitation.
PM
10 Krishna Rao,
Chairperson.
The people are against giving the Podu land to
the VSS. In some places, the people from other
States have also encroached the forest land and
what kind of policy is planned for them.
3.57
PM
11 Sowmitri, NGO In Vizag about 37,000 ha. of encroached area is
included under VSS and was published as a
success story. The World Bank considering it as
a loss of livelihood has decided for providing
compensation package and hence R & R policy is
included in CFM. As per the survey of the
discussions held at Range level and Division
level about 833 families have agreed to
voluntarily give Podu lands to VSS whereas 803
families have declined to part with Podu lands
as they will be loosing their livelihood. The
World Bank has also decided to rehabilitate the
persons who have agreed to part the Podu areas
in the VSS and plantations were raised under
JFM. The rehabilitation is to be taken up as a
group based activity and not by giving goats
/sheep / cattle etc. by deciding the extent of
effective rehabilitation. Productive asset
building and income generation should be
4.02
59
aimed. For the persons effected under JFM, the
monitoring mechanism by way of giving technical
advise for the next two years involving all the
line departments to be developed to see that the
compensation is effectively utilized. In CFM do
not evict people and repeat what was done
under JFM. The pre and post 1980
encroachments are to be clearly defined and R
& R policy to be implemented. The Government
off India, during October, 2002 has given certain
guidelines for rehabilitation and has also given
instructions to take up the survey of
encroachments.
12 Amrutha Rao,
Ambedkarnagar
VSS, Jannaram
At the consultation meetings held at Range/
Division level , the Kolamguda VSS members
have expressed that they will leave all the
encroached lands and houses to the VSS,
provided, they are rehabilitated on an area of 20
to 30 acres of land along with development
activities. Some of them have expressed that
they will give half of the encroached area to the
VSS if the land under their possession is
developed.
4.08
13 Sri.Madhusudan
Rao, IFS. CF
(Procurement)
In Tiryani Range, the ITDA officials have taken
up rehabilitation of Kolams outside the forest
area by providing them housing, raising
horticulture etc. The Kolams hardly stayed for
one year and during the next monsoon season
they have left this place and settled in still far
interior forest area. Therefore the tribal affinity
towards the forests has to be understood. It is not
4.10
60
clear as to how many tribal families will come
forward to give the Podu lands to the VSS
voluntarily. The ITDA has taken up a process
of consolidation of areas for improving
productivity and a similar process has to be
taken up. The problems and customs are
different in different areas and a region –wise
packages have to be developed.
14 Prl. Secretary.
EFS&T.
In JFM some encroached area is brought under
VSS and we have to devise a policy on
rehabilitation.
4.16
PM
15 Satya Srinivas. The R & R Policy is different from R & R Action
plan. One package for the entire state is not
advisable. The funds under R & R Policy are to
be allotted to the VSS and thereafter the works
are to be taken up in VSS.
4.19
PM
16 Narsimhalu,
ACF
After conducting R &R policy meeting at Range
and Division level new encroachments have
started with an intention that they will get the
compensation for encroached forest area.
4.22
PM
17 Prl. Secretary,
EFS&T.
The compensation / rehabilitation is an individual
activity. Where as VSS is a community activity
and we are imposing the community on the
individuals. As per the data about 46,000 families
have voluntarily given encroached lands to the
VSS under JFM. A survey will be done to assess
the quantum of compensation required under R
&R policy at individual level.
4.25
PM
18 CCF (CFM) During the preparation of Micro plans the names
of the encroachers who have agreed to
voluntarily give the Podu lands to the VSS and
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61
the kind of compensation package they wish to
have will be included. It is to be discussed
during this meeting as to what kind of
rehabilitation packages are needed .The
compensation is only to the VSS members. In
case of large encroachments the rehabilitation
will be in the form of group based economic
activities and if the encroachments are less
individual income generating activities will be
taken up.
19 Surya Kumari, NGO, Centre for people’s forestry.
In one of the meetings on R & R policy at Adilabad, the people have expressed to voluntarily give encroached lands to the VSS. The people who are having land outside the forests should also be provided compensation in case they handover the encroached land to the VSS. The rehabilitation should be as a group based activity and should clearly define what an individual gets in a group.
4.34
PM
20. Padmanabham,
IFS, C.F. SF.
Vijayawada.
The tribals of Paderu are ready to give the
encroached areas to the VSS voluntarily. As
most of these areas are hilly regions with
sloping lands. The condition they have imposed
is that, the VSS should raise silver oak
plantations on these lands and they should be
permitted to raise coffee underneath the silver
oak.
4.36
PM
21 Dhanunjaya
Rao FRO.
Vizag.
In some of the VSS due to encroachment by two
or three families, the CFM is not implemented.
The VSS members are complaining against this
and requesting not to suffer entire village for
the sake of 2/ 3 encroachers. They have requested
for providing rehabilitation package to these
people , so that CFM can be implemented. Due to
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62
R &R Policy meetings some of the persons
who have abandoned old Podu areas are now
claiming the same for compensation. The
rehabilitation should only be provided to the
persons who are in possession of Podu areas as
on date.
22 Sowmitri, NGO In some of the Range level meetings on R &R
policy the members have expressed that if they
give the Podu areas to the VSS, they have live
like labour as their forefathers. In Paderu about
2,406 families are involved in Podu cultivation
and they are not willing to give these areas to
the VSS. Hence do not evict them in the name
of CFM.
4.45
23 CCF(CFM) As per the G.O. , the CFM is not for eviction
and none of the members will be forced for any
eviction.
4.50
PM
24 C.F. Vizag. In some VSS , due to encroachment by two or
three persons, the micro plans are not prepared.
Under R & R policy these persons are to be
provided individual rehabilitation packages. But
in forestry sector, the individual benefits/
packages will create problems.
4.52.
25. DFO. Adilabad In Adilabad division, about 56,000 ha of forest
area is under encroached in different VSS. The
Micro plans are not prepared for the VSS having
encroachments, the NGOs and the VSS members
are requesting to write micro-plans by not
considering the encroachers as VSS members.
4.54
PM.
26 Sri
R.G.Kalaghatgi,
The Forest Department does not have much
experience in rehabilitation schemes. Therefore
4.57
PM
63
IFS. C.F.(MIS). the R & R Policy implementation under CFM
may be given to ITDA. The meaning of term
eviction is not clear. If a person grows silver
oak in Podu areas, of Paderu division and by
resolution of VSS, GB if the entire usufructs
are given to him, is it also called a eviction?. A
committee has to be set up whether any eviction
is involved / done and the issue of some of the
persons having lands outside the R.F. is also to
be discussed.
27. M. Bullaiah,
IFS .C.F.
Adilabad.
In Adilabad district, 96,000 ha of forest area is
under encroachments. In the joint survey there
is much pressure to include the encroachments as
pre 1980. The VSS members in most of the
meetings on explaining them the quantum and
value of usufructs, they inspite of understanding
the same are asking for their livelihood for that
day. All the VSS during the meetings are
requesting for starting CFM works. Therefore
pending rehabilitation we can start CFM works.
There is also a danger of fresh encroachments if
compensation is paid to encroachers and we may
lose some more forest areas.
5.02
PM
28 Sri R.G.
Kalaghatgi, IFS
C.F.(MIS)
Since it is decided to revise R & R policy, the
World Bank may now agree to take up works /
preparation of micro plans in VSS having
encroachments. Necessary proposals in this
regard may be made.
5.07
PM
Remarks by Panel Members:
Sri Vittal Rajan, NGO, has opined that the encroachments should be considered as pre
64
1980, 1980 and after 2000. I appreciate the several assurances given by the Forest
Department that there will be no forcible eviction and only those coming voluntarily will
be considered. The CFM is important imaginative step for helping tribals and to correct
mistakes done by the Britishers. The encroached areas included under JFM during 1980-
2002 are to be looked case after case and a blanket package should not be made. The
officials are presently interested not only on the environment but also human equipment. As
per the report of R & R consultation meeting held at Range/ Division meetings, it is seen
that several have come forward to give Podu areas to the VSS provided they are rehabilitated.
The CFM has to be protected and the people are to be taken in to confidence, the NGOs
have to work in close liason with Forest Department.
Smt. Urmila Pingle, NGO has clarified that a cluster/ federation involving all the VSS is
to be formed to strengthen the VSS into an autonomous body. Eviction should not be taken
up.
Sri Prem Chandra Reddy, IAS, Director, Tribal Welfare, opined that the assurance of the
Forest Department that none of them will be evicted forcibly under C.F.M. is well
appreciated. Under JFM, the livelihood loss is found to be more and rehabilitation has to be
done. As per the discussions held, there will be no such loss of livelihood under CFM.
Under rehabilitation both the individual as well as group based activities are to be taken up
depending upon the circumstances and issues. I welcome the proposals of giving the work of
R & R. to ITDA or Tribal Welfare. The levels of rehabilitation and adequacy are to be
established so that it will be easy for the implementing agency. At present most of the
rehabilitations are land based schemes. The VSS is a very large group consisting 200 to
400 members, so participation may not be effective. The VSS may be divided in to sub-
groups on some basis, so that participation levels may increase.
The Prl. C.C.F. has concluded the consultation meetings on revision of R & R policy by
expressing that development of forests huge sustainable income should be made available to
the VSS.
Issues deliberated and recommendations: Issues that were deliberated during the stakeholders workshops held during preparation of A P Community Forest Management Project and the ones during April to August 2003 are detailed below. A number of issues, which were deliberated upon during the stakeholders’ workshops, and recommendations made. Some of the important
65
issues relevant to R&R and Tribal Development discussed and recommendations made are given below:
Issue: Shifting Cultivation and Encroachments: Regarding shifting cultivation, following issues emerged:
a. Shifting cultivation is a major agricultural practice in the tribal belt of the State, especially in North Coastal districts and in Adilabad. The practice has by now become more or less settled cultivation.
b. Discouraging through legal action has failed to stop the practice.c. Since it is an issue dealing with livelihood especially in tribal belt, not all the cultivators may
be willing to relinquish such cultivations. At best they may relinquish part of land encroached.
d. There are cases wherein those who have encroached forestlands also have their own private lands.
e. In non-tribal areas, such encroachments have been made even by big and well to do farmers.f. Providing R& R package to those who have encroached forestlands may encourage those
who have not encroached such lands earlier to resort to encroaching now.g. Providing R&R package to those having land outside the VSS areas in addition to
encroached land in VSS area who relinquish lands in VSS areas and not taking up CFM activities in VSSs where those who have encroached forest lands do not relinquish encroachments due to livelihood needs will deprive such landless villagers while doubly benefiting landed people. This widens the gap between landed and the landless.
Recommendation:It was generally felt that the shifting cultivation and the encroachment into the forest for cultivation are not good practices and they needed to be discouraged. While doing so, it is was felt that this is an issue dealing with the livelihood of the poor and therefore needs a holistic approach. It was felt necessary to widen the livelihood base of these people through introducing various suitable alternate income-generating activities and upgrading their skills, including promotion of improved agricultural practices on private lands to restore the economic well being of the affected families.There are 5 types of families who are normally affected when dealing with encroachment into forest lands for cultivation. The types of the families likely to be affected and relief measures suggested are: 1. Families with landholding outside project losing encroached land: Relief measure suggested :- Assistance to improve farming in landholding outside project
area through irrigation, improved farm inputs, and other agriculture support or the affected families will be provided support, if opted, to take up income generation activities.
2. Families entirely dependent on encroached land Relief measure suggested:- Land for land (equal extent of land lost), where ever
government revenue or ceiling surplus land is available and acceptable. Such families will be assisted to improve farming by providing farm inputs, and other agriculture support and access to agricultural credit or affected families can be provided support, if opted, to take up income generation activities
66
3. Families having other sources of income Relief measures suggested:- Affected families will be provided financial support to take
up additional income generation activities4. Families losing housing
Relief measures suggested:- Allow the salvage material to be carried to the new site. Provide alternate site or cash in lieu of it. Housing under weaker section housing scheme or a housing construction grant. Provide for transport for carrying household salvaged material.
5. Families not willing to vacate encroached lands Exclude such lands from VSS limits.
Issue: Capacity Building of the VSS Members, Forest Staff and NGOs.In all the workshops there was a general feeling that the capacity of the forest staff, VSS members and NGOs Should be improved for the proper and effective management of the VSS.Recommendation:Training programmes in raising medicinal plants, nurseries, estimating the potential of forest produce and marketing, grafting of other and other species, various silvicultural operations, soil and moisture conservation works, accounting procedures of the VSS, value addition and storage practices of the NTFP and medicinal plants etc., are to be organized to build up the capacities of the VSS members, forest staff and the NGOs. In addition to the centralized training programs in the A.P. Forest academy at Dullapalli, training programs may be organized in the circles and the districts also. Exposure trips to other successful VSS both within the State and outside the state may also being organized. Videotapes of the successful V. S. S. may be shown in other V. S. S. for inspiration.
Issue: Landless VSS members resorting to head loading as a means of livelihood: It came out that landless members of VSSs resort to cutting dried firewood and faggot wood. Even some villagers of nearby villages also depend on such activity. This impacts on protection of forests and results in degradation of biodiversity and forest resources.
Recommendation: It was decided that such families should be identified and special livelihood packages should be developed for their amelioration. If required institutional finance should be linked to make these schemes viable.
67
Annexure IIIFlow chart depicting the linkages in Planning, Implementation and Monitoring
System of the Resettlement Action Plan (EAG is missing)
CF Monitoring
Project Director (CCF)
CF CFM
Social Development Specialist
PMU level
District level
CF
DFO
VSS
NGO/CO and WCV
FRO
Social development
specialist/ District/Divisional Forest Committees
FSO
BO
VSS Advisory Council
PRIOther line
Depts.
VSS level
LegendReporting arrangementLinkage
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Annex IVGrievance Redress Mechanism and Coordination arrangements
At Village level:a) For each V.S.S. there is an Advisory Council comprising of the concerned Forest Section
Officer, Forest Beat Officer or Assistant Beat Officer, the Panchayat Sarpanch, representative of the Village Tribal Development Agency in scheduled areas (to be nominated by the ITDA), the Village Administrative Officer, the NGO actively involved in assisting the V.S.S., and Village School Headmaster/Headmistress.
b) The Panchayat Sarpanch shall chair the advisory council meetings. If for any reason he / she is unable to attend the meeting the Forest Section Officer shall preside over.
c) Constitution of the advisory body shall be the responsibility of the Forest Range Officer.d) Convening meetings of the Advisory Council shall be the responsibility of the Forest
Section Officer. Advisory council meetings should be held to facilitate their timely input into micro-plan and annual plan preparation and evaluation and also to coordinate the activities of other departments at V.S.S. level.
e) The Advisory Council will review micro-plans and annual plans and advise the V.S.S. on strategies and available resources for implementing them.
f) The advisory council shall meet as often as required.
At District level:A District Forestry Committee has the following; 1. District Collector (Chairman) 2. Project Director District Rural Development Agency (Member)3. Project Officer Integrated Tribal Development Agency (Member)4. Representative of GCC at District level (Member)5. District Tribal Welfare Officer (Member)6. Executive Director Dist. S.C.S.C. Society (Member)7. Joint Director Agriculture (Member)8. Joint Director Animal Husbandry (Member)9. All the Divisional Forest Officers in the district (Member)10. Three NGOs (including at least one Woman delegate) to be nominated by the AP NGOs
Committee on CFM (Members)11. 5 V.S.S. members nominated by the district collector (at least 3 members shall be
women) (Members)Head quarters Divisional Forest Officer will be the convener. The tenure of the nominated members shall be one year.The responsibilities of the District Forest Committee will be as follows;(a) The District Forestry Committee shall review implementation of Community Forest
Management and provide direction to the Forest Department and other departments in the holistic development of villages and hamlets where VSS are operating and in adjacent villages and hamlets that may be affected by the implementation of CFM.
(b) The committee shall also ensure that there are no duplication of efforts by the various departments.
(c) The District Forest Committee shall convey any observations or concerns that require state-level intervention to the State Level Forest Committee.
(d) The District Forestry Committee shall meet atleast once in three months.
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(e) The District Forestry Committee shall have powers to remove any member of the Managing Committee from the Managing Committee who is convicted of Offence(s) under any of the Forest Acts and Rules there under and / or any other Offence punishable under any law, or to cancel recognition any Vana Samrakshana Samithi majority of whose members are convicted of having committed Offence(s) under any of the Forest Acts and Rules there under and / or convicted of any other Offence(s) punishable under any law. The District Forestry Committee shall have powers to cancel recognition to any V.S.S. which does not function effectively. The decision of the District Forest Committee shall be final.
At the ITDA levelAt ITDA level, the committee will have the following constitution:
1. Project Officer ITDA (Chairman) 2. Two NGOs (atleast one shall be woman) Member (To be nominated by the C. F.) 3. Ten V.S.S. members (atleast four shall be women) Member (To be nominated by the
C.F.)4. GCC Representative ( Member)5. Sub DFO/ DFO at ITDA headquarters (Member Convener)
This committee is responsible for: a. Review the implementation of C.F.M activitiesb. Coordinate the activities of the various Government departments to ensure holistic
development and avoid duplication of works.c. Resolve inter V.S.S. conflicts and conflicts between the V.S.S. and non V.S.S. issues.d. The committee shall meet once in three months.At Forest Division level:1. Divisional Forest Officer (Chairman)2. One representatives each from Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Rural development (DRDA), Tribal Welfare, ITDA, Social Welfare, District S.C. Society, GCC, NEDCAP (Members)3. Three NGOs (Members)4. 5 VSS chairpersons, (atleast 3 women) (Members This committee is responsible for:a. This committee shall meet every month and monitor functioning of VSS;b. Implementation of decisions taken in the District Forestry Committee and other
meetings;c. Ensure coordination of all concerned departments and agencies for proper
functioning of VSS.
At State Level: The State level committee has the following constitution. It coordinates the Community
Forest Management.1. Prl. Secretary Environment, Forests, Science and Technology Department (Chairman)2. Pr. Secretary Social Welfare or his nominee (Member)3. Sec. Panchayat Raj and Rural Development (Member)4. Managing Director A.P.F.D.C. (Member)5. Commissioner Tribal Welfare (Member)6. Director Animal Husbandry Department (Member)7. Commissioner Agriculture Department (Member)
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8. Managing Director G.C.C. (Member)9. Nominee of Secretary Finance (Member)10. Director Women and Child Welfare (Member)11. NGOs 2 Nos. (nominated by the AP NGOs Committee on PFM) (Members)12. Representative of Ministry of Environment and Forests (GOI)(Member)13. Prl. Chief Conservator of Forests (Member Convener)
Independent Advisory Group at state level:The independent advisory group will comprise five members to be nominated by Government of Andhra Pradesh. These members will be eminent persons from the fields of law, judiciary, social work, academics, forestry etc. Minimum of one member shall be from legal background and one from forestry background. The Project Director of the A.P. Community Forest Management will be its convener. Tenure of the members of this advisory group will be two years from the date of nomination The Independent Advisory Group will be serviced by the Project Monitoring Unit of the A. P. Community Forest Management Project.Role and responsibilities of the Independent Advisory Group:
1. The Independent Advisory Group will examine complaints relating to Resettlement Action Plan that are received by it or brought to its notice and advice the Government of Andhra Pradesh and the Forest Department of Andhra Pradesh on remedial measures as necessary for redressal of any grievances.
2. The Independent Advisory Group will meet as frequently as required (atleast once in 3 months), to advice the Government of Andhra Pradesh and the Forest Department of Andhra Pradesh on implementation of Resettlement Action Plan. .
3. It may undertake field visits to enquire into complaints relating to Resettlement Action Plan.
It may refer the complaints received by it to District/Division level Forestry Committees specified in the Grievance redressal mechanism detailed in the Resettlement Action Plan prepared in accordance with the Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy issued by the Government of Andhra Pradesh in G.O.Ms. No. 10 EFS&T (For III) Department Dt. 5.2.2002 as modified from time to time.
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Annex V: List of Monitoring indicatorsIndicators Frequency Method to
follow Agency Responsible
Process of RAP preparation 1. SIA completed and RAPs prepared (No. of VSS)
2. RAPs approved by DFO (No.)
Quarterly
Quarterly
Reports from FSO and NGO/COReports from FSO and NGO/CO
SDS and DFO
SDS and DFO
Physical1. Identifying encroached lands within VSS area.
2. No. of encroachers identified
3. Encroachers surrendering land (No)
4. PAFs assisted by type of entitlements (No.)
5. PAFs identified for IG Activities (No.) by type of IG
6. PAFs receiving institutional credit (No)
7. PAFs under Govt. schemes (by type) (No.)
8. PAFs receiving rehabilitation grant (No)
9. Assets (by type) if any acquired and compensated
10. PAFs Received Training (no.)
11. PAFs establishing IG activities
Annually
Annually
Monthly
Monthly
Monthly
Monthly
Monthly
Monthly
Monthly
Quarterly
Reports from VSS/FBO/FSO and NGO/COReports from VSS/FBO/FSO and NGO/COReports from VSS/FBO/FSO and NGO/CO
-do-
-do-
-do-
-do-
-do-
-do-
-do-
SDS/DFO
SDS/DFO
SDS/DFO and External M&E agency ( to report on their visits) -do-
-do-
-do-
-do-
-do-
-do-
-do-
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Financial (Rs.)1. R&R assistance provided in terms of type of entitlement
2. Rehabilitation grant for IG activity
3. Bank loans arranged Training expenses
Monthly
Monthly
Quarterly
Reports from VSS/FBO/FSO
Reports from VSS/FBO/FSO
Reports from VSS/FBO/FSO
SDS/DFO and External M&E agency ( to report on their visit) -do-
-do-
Other Indicators Income of PAFs
Process Indicators:No. of consultations
No. of visits by SD Specialist
No. of meetings of Div. and Dist. Forest Committees
a) Annual b)Middle of the RAP/project implementationc)end of the RAP/project implementation
Monthly
Monthly
Annually
a)Reports from VSS/FBO/FSO/DFO and SD Unit in PMU b)Reports from external M&E agency
Reports from VSS/FBO/FSO/DFOReports from VSS/FBO/FSO/DFOReports from SDS/DFO/PMU and External M&E agency
VSS/FBO/FSO DFO and SD Unit in PMU, Eexternal M&E agency
VSS/FBO/FSO/DFO
VSS/FBO/FSO/DFO
SDS/DFO/PMU and External M&E agency
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Attachment -I
Resettlement And Rehabilitation Policy For The Persons Affected Due To Community Forest Management In The State Of Andhra Pradesh:
Preamble: A detailed Social and Environmental Assessment (SEA) study of the A P Community Forest Management Project, carried out in a sample of 20 VSS, in five districts included in the Project, revealed two types of possible adverse impacts on livelihoods of forest dependent villagers consequent to the proposed Project interventions. The first and the more important one is the impact on economic living of the people dependent on forestlands, proposed for development under a Vana Samrakshana Samithi (VSS). This is a very important issue that needs to be addressed adequately. The second type of impact is on those families depending on cutting forest growth and selling as head loads of fuel and small timber for livelihood. It was noticed that encroachments have been caused mostly by the landless poor in tribal tracts for eking their livelihood through cultivating dry agricultural crops on these encroached lands. Any recovery of such lands will have adverse impact on the livelihood of people dependent on such lands. This phenomenon is likely to occur in certain areas where Community Forest Management is to be implemented in the state of Andhra Pradesh. It is also likely that such an eventuality has already occurred in VSSs where forest treatment was undertaken over forest lands that were under the occupation by individual families for non forest use during implementation of Joint Forest Management that was undertaken as specified in G O Ms. No 212, 228 and. 173 before launching Community Forest Management as detailed in GO Ms. No. 13 EFS&T (For III) Department Dt. 12.2.2002 issued by the Government of Andhra Pradesh.
Therefore, there is a need for the state government to develop a policy and a plan to mitigate such adverse impacts on the forest dependent families and also any other families that would be affected due to project interventions. It is with this background that the present policy document has been prepared spelling out over all approach, mitigation measures and support mechanism in dealing with adversely affected families. This policy document evolved in consultation with the potential affected persons and other project stakeholders. It includes definition of different terms used in the text, objectives and principles of the proposed policy, entitlement framework for the affected families, institutional arrangement for policy implementation, monitoring and evaluation and grievance redressal mechanism. The actual assessment of adverse impacts, identification of adversely affected families and the planning and implementation of mitigation measures for each of the area assigned to a VSS will be done by VSS community, and incorporated in Micro-plans.
Definitions:
Affected Families: are those whose livelihood will be affected or is affected due to loss of lands, houses, trees and crops from the forest areas due to CFM and JFM where these assets in their individual possession come under common use. These include any affected person, his or her spouse, minor children and other dependants who habitually reside as one family. All adult members in an affected family, as individuals, are eligible for support under this policy and head loader.
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Cut off Date for Identification of Affected Families: The date of formation of VSS will be the cut off date for the identification of affected families eligible for support to restore their livelihood. Encroacher: A person who has been engaged in unauthorized (i.e., without any legal titles to the land) cultivation of land falling under a given VSS area.Squatter: A person who has unauthorizedly constructed a house or other structure within a VSS area for housing .and other purposes.Project Area: is the forestland that has been handed over to VSS for protection and management.Below Poverty Line Family: Families recognized as BPL by the GOAP records.Operational Holding: Land under cultivation by a family, which includes both owned and encroached lands.Head loader: A person who ekes out his / her livelihood by cutting firewood and small timber from forests and selling.
Objectives of the Policy: The primary objective of this policy is to avoid or minimise any adverse impact and hardship to the people dependent on forestlands within a VSS area as a result of CFM and JFM. However, if such adverse impacts cannot be avoided, the policy aims at supporting them by providing alternate opportunities to enhance or at least restore their livelihood. There will be no forcible eviction of people from encroached lands nor any affected person will be left worse off. This policy also covers those VSSs where similar loss of livelihood had occurred during implementation of Joint Forest Management before launch of Community Forest Management.
Basic Principles. The following principles will be adopted during the course of planning and mitigating the project adverse impacts:
Census survey (social and economic) will be carried out to identify affected families within the demarcated area of the VSS.
The affected families will be consulted during the process of design, planning, implementation and monitoring of mitigation measures.
CFM does not envisage any physical displacement of any family. However, if any family voluntarily gives up its present livelihood pattern in favor of the VSS, all such affected families will be assisted for smooth relocation through this policy.
Although CFM does not envisage any acquisition of land and other assets, if any such eventuality arises, the assets required will be compensated at replacement value along with the resettlement assistance.
Alternative livelihood packages will be provided to the affected families to offset their losses and help them improve, and restore, their economic well being.
Adequate physical, financial and human resources will be made available to implement the resettlement and rehabilitation (R&R) activities.
Guidelines for Implementation.
At VSS Level, the VSS Advisory Council will facilitate planning, implementation and monitoring of rehabilitation activities.
Any voluntary surrender of land should be accompanied by consent letter from the
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respective persons surrendering such land Such consent letters will be certified by the VAC. Such families will be provided with alternate economic opportunities to help offset their
losses and restore their livelihood. In cases where the encroachers have sizeable operational holdings, outside the forest area,
and if they are willing to surrender the encroached forest land, the approach will be to help them increase their farm earnings by providing access to improved farm inputs and focused agricultural extension. They will also have option to support for income generating activities.
In respect of VSSs where loss of livelihood had occurred during implementation of Joint Forest Management, assistance will be provided for taking up group-based income generation activities benefiting all the affected families.
Where people have constructed houses on the encroached land in the VSS area, they will be provided with house site and housing as well under the housing scheme for the poor of the state government. In case if such housing scheme is not available, each family displaced will be eligible to get a free house site and a house construction assistance of Rs. 25,000/-. In case of more than 20 families need to be relocated, a new housing site will be developed with all necessary infrastructure and civic amenities including drinking water, internal roads, approach road, drains and community hall.
Those, who will be provided with alternate income generating activities, will be supported with the following services:
Skill training for income generating activities. (IGAs) Financial assistance (up to a maximum of Rs 25,000) to take up IGA. Support to access bank loan using the financial assistance. Support from the District Industries Centre, Khadi and Village Industries Commission.,
and other government schemes for the economic, welfare.
Categories of affected families.Following broad categories of affected families are identified:
Affected families with land holding outside VSS area; Affected families totally dependent on encroached lands within VSS area for their
livelihood; People losing their house structures in the VSS area; Head loaders and other forest produce collectors whose livelihood will beaffected.
Category of affected families Mitigation measures (options for rehabilitation)Families with landholding outside VSS area losing encroached land (for BPL families)
Assistance to improve farming in landholding outside project area through improved farm inputs, and other agriculture support orAffected families will be provided support, if opted, to take up income generation activities.
Families entirely dependent on encroached land
Land for land (equivalent in extent of land surrendered voluntarily), where ever government revenue or ceiling surplus land is available and acceptable. Such families
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will be assisted to improve farming by providing farm inputs, and other agriculture support and access to agricultural credit or Affected families will be provided support, if opted, to take up income generation activities
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Families losing housing Allow the salvage material to be carried to the new siteProvide alternate site or cash in lieu of itHousing under weaker section housing scheme or a housing construction grant.Transport for carrying household salvaged material.
Head loaders Affected families will be provided support, to take up income generation activities
Note: The above mentioned mitigation measures will be provided on individual family basis.These families may however, on their own accord and depending upon the scheme chosen by them and its viability, decide to organize themselves into groups. In such cases entitlement will be made available to all the individual families of the group. Financial limits of entitlement in such cases will be sum of all entitlements of all the individual families of the group.
Consultations: For planning and implementation of rehabilitation activities, the following stakeholders need to be consulted (individually as well as collectively) Members of the affected families Other VSS members Gram Panchayat Land revenue officials Forest department officials ITDA Officials in tribal areas DRDA Officials in non tribal areas NGOs/community organizers
The content of consultation should highlight the CFM objectives and proposed interventions and their likely impact on the livelihood of the people. However, the issues to be discussed will include, inter alia. Benefits from the CFM interventions. Extent of encroached forest lands Alternate livelihood in the event of voluntary surrender of present livelihood pattern Support to take up alternate livelihood. Relocation of families losing house structures within the limit of project area Support available for head loaders to give up this activity.
Institutional Support Planning, implementation and monitoring will be done by the Forest Department.
Identification of Affected families will be done in association with the concerned NGOs/COs and endorsed by VSS
At the State level, the responsibility of monitoring the planning and implementation of the rehabilitation programs of affected families will be with the Social Unit with in the Project Management Unit. The head of this Unit will be a Social Development specialist of the rank of Deputy Conservator of Forests /Assistant Conservator of Forests. This unit will coordinate with the Divisional Forest Officers (DFO) and the line departments to ensure smooth implementation of rehabilitation component of the project.
At the forest divisional level, the concerned DFO will coordinate the rehabilitation
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activities. For concerted efforts, a Sub DFO / Forest Range Officer / Deputy Forest Range Officer will be designated to look after R &R activities and other social aspects of the Project in the district. He will also provide guidance to the VSS Advisory Council (VAC)
At the VSS level, where planning and implementation is the responsibility of the concerned VSS, there shall be an Advisory Council comprising of the concerned Forest Section Officer, Forest Beat Officer or Forest Assistant Beat Officer, the Panchayat Sarpanch, nominee of ITDA, the Village Secretary, the NGO actively involved in assisting the V.S.S., and Village School Headmaster/Headmistress. The Panchayat Sarpanch shall chair the advisory council meetings. If for any reason he / she is unable to attend the meeting the Forest Section Officer shall preside over. This council will also help in assessing the availability of government land for families opting for land.
Role of NGOs/community organizers: Wherever suitable NGOs are available, they will be involved in planning, implementing and monitoring of the process of identification of Affected families and providing mitigation measures to them if they voluntarily surrender their present livelihood pattern.
Grievance Redressal Mechanism: Issues related to R&R activities will be addressed at different levels of grievance redressal mechanism (at VSS Forest Section, ITDA/DFO and District levels.) At VSS level, its Management Committee and Village Advisory Council will help resolve any grievances of affected families. At the Forest Section level, grievances will be addressed by the Forest Section Officers. Forest Committees (with representations from VSS, Panchayat Raj Institutions, NGOs and concerned line departments) already working at the levels of Integrated Tribal Development Agency / Forest Division and the District, will also help resolve issues which are not satisfactorily resolved at the VSS and Forest Section levels. There will be a state level Independent Advisory Group consisting of eminent people in the areas of law and justice, social work, rural development and forestry to look into grievances arising out of implementation of any plan drawn up on the basis of this policy and advise the Forest Department of Andhra Pradesh on suitable ameliorative measures.
Monitoring and Evaluation: There will be both internal and external monitoring. The internal monitoring of both physical and financial aspects will be done by the DFO at the divisional level. At the VSS level, it will be carried out by the VSS with assistance from NGO/Community Organizer and VSS Advisory Council. An external agency will be engaged to undertake periodical monitoring and evaluation of the R&R activities.
Approval of Plans for R &R activities: Plans for resettlement and economic rehabilitation will be prepared by VSS facilitated by VSS Advisory Council and NGO/ Community Organizer. These plans will be an integral part of Micro-Plans to be prepared at the VSS level. The Sub DFO/FRO designated for R&R activities and approved by DFO will review these Plans. The social unit in the O/o Prl.CCF (PMU) at state level will monitor the preparation, review and approval of the VSS level plans.
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Budget: At the project level, the cost of planning and implementation of rehabilitation activities will be part of the overall budget of the project. At VSS level, the cost of rehabilitation activities will constitute an integral component of the micro plan.
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Attachment 2
Terms of Reference for Independent Advisory Group for advising on Re-settlement Action Plan to be implemented by A.P. Forest Department of the Government of Andhra Pradesh. *****Background: Consequent to issue of the National Forest Policy of 1988 and the Government of India guidelines in 1990 for promoting participation of local communities in protection and management of forests, the Government of Andhra Pradesh formulated guidelines for Joint Forest Management in the state of Andhra Pradesh and has been implementing the same since 1992. With the experience gained, the Government of Andhra Pradesh, duly refining the programme further, has embarked upon implementation of Community Forest Management. Government of Andhra Pradesh has issued orders enabling such transformation through G.O. Ms. No. 13 EFS&T (For III) Department Dt. 12.2.2002. Joint Forest Management and Community Forest Management essentially envisage participation of local forest dependent communities in protection and management of the forests. For this purpose, these communities are organized as Vana Samrakshana Samithies (VSS).
Joint Forest Management and Community Forest Management are practiced in the Forests owned by the Government of Andhra Pradesh through its Forest Department. Though the forests in question are state owned, due to growth in population and consequent pressure on land for agriculture there have been instances where certain people have occupied certain portions of these forest lands for cultivating agricultural crops. While this essentially is an act contrary to the forest laws, it has also an aspect dealing with the livelihoods of these families.
A detailed Social and Environmental Assessment (SEA) study of the A P Community Forest Management Project, carried out in a sample of 20 VSS, revealed that in certain forest areas that have been brought under Joint Forest Management and that will be brought under Community Forest Management certain families have illegally occupied forest lands. In the event of these families requiring to surrender lands and actually surrendering these encroached forestlands for enabling Joint Forest Management and Community Forest Management, such families will be given livelihood assistance. For this purpose the Government of Andhra Pradesh have formulated and issued a Resettlement and Rehabilitation Policy statement in G.O.Ms. No. 10 RFS&T (For III) Department Dt. 5.2.2002 and have prepared a Resettlement Action Plan. This Plan in its present form would cover APCFM Project sites on 14 districts of Andhra Pradesh. This plan would be suitably revised to cover the remaining districts of Andhra Pradesh and all the VSS in the state. This revision is expected to be completed by June 2003.
During the course of negotiations for IDA credit for A P CFM Project discussions between the Government of India, the Government of Andhra Pradesh (India) and IDA , it was decided to evolve a suitable mechanism to monitor implementation of Resettlement Action Plan and suitably advise the Government of Andhra Pradesh and Forest Department on all matters associated with the implementation of the re-settlement action plan. It was also decided that to ensure this objective, there will be two tier monitoring and advisory mechanism. There will be monitoring body at forest division level and an advisory body at state level to deal with the issues pertaining to monitoring implementation of the Resettlement Action Plan (this plan will be
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implemented after due revision as stated above). The details of configuration and terms of reference of these bodies are given below:
Constitution of the Independent Advisory Group: The independent advisory group will comprise five members to be nominated by Government of Andhra Pradesh. These members will be eminent persons from the fields of law, judiciary, social work, academics, forestry etc. Minimum of one member shall be from legal background and one from forestry background. The Project Director of the A.P. Community Forest Management will be its convener.. Tenure of the members of this advisory group will be two years from the date of nomination The Independent Advisory Group will be serviced by the Project Monitoring Unit of the AP Community Forest Management Project.
Role and responsibilities of the Independent Advisory Group: The Independent Advisory Group will examine complaints relating to Resettlement Action Plan that are received by it or brought to its notice and advice the Government of Andhra Pradesh and the Forest Department of Andhra Pradesh on remedial measures as necessary to be taken for redressal of any grievances.
The Independent Advisory Group will meet as frequently as required (atleast once in 3 months), to advice the Government of Andhra Pradesh and the Forest Department of Andhra Pradesh on implementation of Resettlement Action Plan. .
It may undertake field visits to enquire into complaints relating to Resettlement Action Plan.
It may refer the complaints received by it to District/Division level Forestry Committees specified in the Grievance redressal mechanism detailed in the Resettlement Action Plan prepared in accordance with the Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy issued by the Government of Andhra Pradesh in G.O.Ms. No. 10 EFS&T (For III) Department Dt. 5.2.2002 as modified from time to time. Remuneration: All travel expenses incurred by the members of the Independent Advisory Group relating to travel relating to the activities detailed above will be paid for by the Government of Andhra Pradesh and Forest Department of Andhra Pradesh. The members will be paid sitting fees of Rs. 1000 per day for the meetings of the group attended by them by the Government of Andhra Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh Forest Department.
